Former India captain Rahul Dravid praised teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi in Kannada during a recent public appearance. Dravid highlighted Suryavanshi’s remarkable rise and described him as a rare talent, urging people not to compare other young players with the teenager.
The former head coach of Team India made the comments during the launch of the fifth edition of the Maharaja Trophy T20 tournament in Karnataka on Thursday, June 11. The event marked the beginning of another season of one of the state’s premier domestic T20 competitions.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi is a unique player – Rahul Dravid urges fans to avoid comparisons
Rahul Dravid urged coaches and fans not to compare every young cricketer with Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The former Indian captain said that extraordinary talents are rare and their unique abilities should be appreciated.
Dravid said, “Not everyone should be compared with Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He is a unique player. Such players come very rarely. We should recognize and appreciate it.”
Suryavanshi recently became the youngest player to be selected for the India men’s team at the age of 15. He can break the 36-year-old record of Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut in 1989 at the age of 16.
The left-handed batsman was included in the squad after a sensational IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. He won the Orange Cap after scoring 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.31. The left-handed batsman hit 72 sixes, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous record.
Suryavanshi is currently representing India A in the ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka. He scored 14 against Sri Lanka A before scoring 44 off 22 balls against Afghanistan A in a rain-affected match.
We have to accept it- Rahul Dravid on Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Dravid also backed Vaibhav Suryavanshi to enjoy a successful international career if he continues his rapid development. The former India coach expressed hope that the youngster will carry his domestic form into international cricket and help India win matches in the future.
“He is a special talent and we have to accept that. Hopefully he continues to perform, play for India and win matches for the country,” he said.
India begin their next assignment with a two-match T20I series against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 and 28. After this the team will go to England for a five-match T20 series.
This is a great opportunity for young boys to showcase their talent – Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid also highlighted the importance of the Maharaja Trophy in Karnataka’s cricket structure. He said the tournament gives young players a valuable platform to perform under pressure and prepare for higher levels of the game.
He said, “I think this is a very important tournament for Karnataka cricket as it gives a great opportunity to young boys to showcase their talent. There is a lot of hype around the tournament and significant media coverage, which creates pressure and expectations. It is good for their development as they will face similar conditions when they move up to the higher level.”
The Maharaja Trophy has become an important pathway for players aiming to reach the IPL. Many franchises follow the tournament closely and strong performances have helped players earn professional opportunities in recent years.