Kapil Dev cautions against early predictions for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Kapil Dev warned that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi needs time to prove he can sustain success, citing Vinod Kambli as an example of early talent that faded.
Former India captain Kapil Dev said it is too early to label 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the next global superstar. Sooryavanshi has not played in India's five-match T20I series against West Indies despite being in the squad. Kapil Dev cited Vinod Kambli as an example of a player who showed ability but faded out. He said Sooryavanshi needs another three years before any judgment can be made about his longevity. The teenager scored the fastest fifty in List A cricket off 11 balls for India A in June 2026 and smashed 175 off 80 balls in the Under-19 World Cup final. Kapil Dev added that lifestyle changes and mindset shifts matter more than early performances. Sooryavanshi remains on the bench as India stick with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top.
CricHubb Take
The decision to keep Sooryavanshi on the bench protects him from early failure but also delays his adaptation to international conditions. Three years of waiting could mean he arrives at the 2028 T20 World Cup with limited exposure to the pace and variety he will face there.