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Vaibhav Suryavanshi is just 15 years old, but he has already become one of the biggest names in Indian cricket. After his stellar performances in the ICC Under-19 World Cup and IPL 2026, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has earned his first India call-up for the ongoing UK tour.
Although the teenage batting sensation did not get a chance on the Ireland tour, many expect Vaibhav to make his debut in the upcoming five-match T20I series in England. There is massive buzz about this teen sensation, even though he hasn’t made his India debut yet.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s rising fame ahead of potential India debut worries Daryl Cullinan
Well, former South African batsman Daryl Cullinan was not impressed by all the hype surrounding Vaibhav Suryavanshi and urged people to enjoy his game without putting too much pressure on him.
Addressing the continued demand for a debut for India, Cullinan said that Vaibhav has a very bright future, so fans should not be greedy for his early success. He believes that teens should have time to grow, enjoy life, continue their studies, spend time with friends, and learn from their mistakes.
ESPN Cricinfo quoted Daryl Cullinan as saying, “We should hope that he retires at 40 and is not ruined at 25. That’s another 25 years for him! We should hope that there are still parts of his life in which he can remain normal and unnoticed, in which he can fail quietly, laugh openly, complete his studies, play without cameras nearby. And can digest whatever is happening.”
Daryl Cullinan urges Vaibhav Suryavanshi to take guidance from Sachin Tendulkar
The former South African batsman also said that Vaibhav is lucky because he has someone like Sachin Tendulkar to learn from. Since Sachin also started playing for India at a very young age, he understands the pressure better than anyone, and Cullinan urged the teenager to take his advice. Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara has issued a bold warning to Shreyas Iyer ahead of the England T20 series.
The cricket pundit further added, “I fully expect he will turn to Tendulkar for guidance. He couldn’t be luckier than to have a mentor in the form of a fellow Indian cricketer who has been through it all and seen it all and who will have his best interests in mind.”
Daryl Cullinan spills emotional truth on Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Cullinan said that Vaibhav’s amazing cricket talent has made him a big star at a very young age, even before he had played his first match for India. The Proteas star said the left-hander should live a normal childhood, explore other interests and grow as a person.
He stressed that if pressure is put on young players too early, it could affect both their confidence and fitness. Cullinan said, “This does not mean ignoring his talent. It means understanding that talent will only be truly served if the person possessing it is allowed to develop holistically and is allowed to develop physically without the risk of premature injuries.”
Cullinan thinks it’s a bit sad that the young boy couldn’t enjoy just being a kid. He signed off by saying, “His identity is determined by his own gift, the most involuntary thing a man can have, before he has much chance to explore alternatives. This is the quiet sadness beneath all the celebration. The boy becomes a legend before he even gets a chance to become a man.”