Venkatapathy Raju warns: Vaibhav Suryavanshi must prove himself in domestic cricket first

Venkatapathy Raju, former Indian cricketer, has urged caution regarding the meteoric rise of 14-year-old IPL sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi.
Raju emphasized that Suryavanshi must first prove his mettle in domestic cricket before being considered for the national team, warning against premature comparisons to legends like Sachin Tendulkar.
"Comparisons of the 14-year-old cricketer with Sachin Tendulkar are premature," Raju stated, highlighting that Tendulkar's success was built on strong domestic performances before his international debut.
Despite Raju's caution, the young prodigy has attracted significant praise. Former England captain Nasser Hussain remarked that Suryavanshi's emergence has even surpassed Tendulkar's early days.
"It is unbelievable for a 14-year-old. That's what everyone is saying... what was I doing when I was 14! I was in U15, trying to score some runs. And he's scoring a hundred against some of the best bowlers in the world in 35 deliveries," Hussain said.
The cricketing world is abuzz with excitement over Suryavanshi's talent, but Raju's advice serves as a reminder of the importance of steady progression through domestic ranks. This measured approach ensures young players develop the resilience and experience needed for international cricket.
As Suryavanshi continues to impress, the coming domestic seasons will be crucial in determining whether he can translate his IPL success into a sustainable international career.

Venkatapathy Raju cautions that 14-year-old IPL sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi must first prove himself in domestic cricket before national selection, warning that comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar are premature despite widespread admiration and praise from figures like Nasser Hussain.