Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his Indian Premier League debut at just 14 years and 23 days old, becoming the youngest player to ever take the field. He smashed a six on his very first ball, and his impressive start has earned him a hefty contract. However, India’s cricket legend Virender Sehwag has issued a warning to the youngster.
Sehwag’s Warning
Sehwag, speaking on a show hosted by Cricbuzz, cautioned Suryavanshi about the dangers of getting too caught up in the fame and adoration that comes with performing well in the IPL. “If you start thinking you’re a big star after just one or two good games, you’ll struggle to keep going,” Sehwag said. “I’ve seen many players who rose to fame quickly, only to fizzle out soon after.”
Sehwag pointed to Virat Kohli as an example of a player who has maintained a high level of performance over many years. “Vaibhav should think about playing in the IPL for 20 years, like Kohli has,” Sehwag advised. “Kohli started playing at 19 and has been a part of every season since. Vaibhav should follow in his footsteps.”
The Pitfalls of Overnight Success
Sehwag warned that if Suryavanshi becomes complacent after just one successful IPL season, he risks falling off the radar quickly. “If Vaibhav becomes too confident after hitting a six on his debut ball or becomes a crorepati after just one season, he might not even make it to the next season,” Sehwag said. The message is clear: Suryavanshi needs to stay grounded and keep working hard if he wants to have a long and successful career in the IPL.