Sangakkara Reveals Analyst's 2023 Text on Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Stunning Ascent

Vaibhav Suryavanshi is not just making runs  he’s making headlines. At only 14 years of age, the left-handed batting sensation from Bihar has rapidly become one of Indian cricket’s brightest young prospects. After making waves with a record-breaking IPL century earlier this year, the teenage phenomenon is now captivating fans on India's Under-19 tour of the UK.

During the first Youth Test in Beckenham, Suryavanshi has become a crowd-puller. Fans, including members of the local Indian community, have been turning up in large numbers to see him in action. Despite being kept away from media glare to help him stay focused, the buzz surrounding him has been impossible to contain. Between matches, Suryavanshi has been seen obliging autograph requests and posing for selfies a rising star already used to the spotlight.

SANGAKKARA RECALLS THE FIRST TIME HE HEARD OF SURYAVANSHI

Among those most impressed by the youngster is former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, who is currently serving as the Director of Cricket at Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Suryavanshi represents RR in the league, and Sangakkara recently shared how the franchise first spotted this extraordinary talent.

“In 2023, one of our analysts at Rajasthan Royals sent me a message saying, ‘There’s a very special player we need to watch we should get him to trials and sign him,’” Sangakkara revealed during a chat with Sky Sports Cricket, while on commentary duties for India’s senior Test series in England.

According to Sangakkara, Suryavanshi had already shown glimpses of his immense potential by the time the franchise scouted him. But it wasn’t until the Sri Lankan legend saw him bat in the nets that he truly understood the youngster’s talent.

FACING ARCHER WITH EASE: A STAR IS BORN IN THE NETS

“The first time I watched him live was after we signed him. It was in the nets in Guwahati, where he was batting against Jofra Archer and the rest of our pace unit,” Sangakkara recalled. “He made it look incredibly easy. He seemed to have so much time.”

Images of that net session where the teenage batter took on the fearsome Archer with calm composure quickly went viral, only amplifying the hype before his IPL debut. Suryavanshi lived up to the expectations, smashing the fastest century in IPL history in just his second match.

‘SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT’: SANGAKKARA ON SURYAVANSHI’S TECHNIQUE

Sangakkara, known for his keen eye for batting talent, praised not just Suryavanshi’s results, but also his style and technical precision.

“The sound off his bat was like a gunshot every time he made contact,” Sangakkara said. “His bat swing is beautiful wide outside off-stump, very free-flowing. His footwork is simple and minimal, which gives him that extra time at the crease.”

According to Sangakkara, the young southpaw already possesses the full range of strokes required for T20 cricket  but what sets him apart is his hunger to improve.

“He’s got all the shots you want in a modern T20 batter,” he said. “But more importantly, he’s extremely keen on developing his game even further. This is just the beginning for him. He’s going to get better and hopefully, become something very, very special.”

A FUTURE STAR IN THE MAKING

With India’s cricketing future in safe hands, Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rise comes as a breath of fresh air. At just 14, he is already rubbing shoulders with the best, facing world-class bowlers, and delivering match-winning performances. If his journey so far is any indication, Indian cricket may have unearthed its next generational talent.