Kapil Dev is deliberately not adding to all the excitement around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the young player opening for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, and is advising us to be patient. The player who won the World Cup said the people who watch the league every day are best able to evaluate the 15-year-old, and his quick rise is causing people to want him in the Indian T20 team immediately.
Kapil’s restraint amid rising noise
When asked what he thought of the young player, Kapil directly refused to say. He said he doesn’t really know because he hasn’t seen much of Sooryavanshi, and is in the same position as us fans. He watches cricket on TV at home and then saying what he thinks would be wrong.
He pointed out that people who regularly watch the game are the ones who should comment. Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, and Harsha Bhogle, for example, can give a much more sensible opinion than he can.
The teenager rewriting expectations
Kapil stayed out of commenting, but Sooryavanshi continued to hit the ball brilliantly. The left-handed opening batter has scored 404 runs in 10 games, including a century and two half-centuries. He’s confidently faced Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, and this boldness has been a key part of Rajasthan Royals’ good season.
The highlight of his performance came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, when he scored a hundred in just 36 balls, the second fastest century by an Indian in the tournament. Even the opposing captain, Pat Cummins, was impressed, calling him his “new favourite player,” which shows how quickly the 15-year-old has gone from being interesting to being amazing.
Here are the moments driving the buzz:
– 36-ball century against Sunrisers Hyderabad
– 404 runs in 10 matches this season
– One century and two fifties so far
Why this form matters for India
Because of his incredible performance, people are, of course, talking about whether he should be chosen for the T20I series against Ireland and England later this year, with many believing that his current form and courage should mean he’s chosen for the national team quickly.
Kapil Dev’s position, however, is different. By saying the people who watch every match should be listened to, he’s showing that deciding who to pick for the team should be done carefully, based on a complete understanding of a player, not just one good moment.
Trail from youth cricket to Royals surge
This sudden success wasn’t entirely unexpected. Last year, Sooryavanshi scored a century in 35 balls against Gujarat Titans, showing everyone what he could do. He then continued to score a lot of runs in Under-19s, finishing with a fantastic 175 runs off re 80 balls in the U19 World Cup final against England.
That good form has continued into the 2026 IPL. His ability to score quickly has been vital to Rajasthan Royals’ success, and has kept the team led by Riyan Parag in the running. They are currently fourth in the league table and will play Gujarat Titans on Saturday, May 9.
Reading Kapil’s message
Kapil Dev was the main person at the event, but he avoided giving a quick, easy answer. He said his view was as a fan watching on television, not as someone who is judging. In a season of instant reactions, his refusal to rush to a conclusion was noticeable.
This doesn’t mean people aren’t still focusing on Sooryavanshi. In fact, it makes the question for the people who select the team and the analysts even more important, because as Kapil said, they “talk and see everybody”. His batting has raised how well the Royals can do, and perhaps even India’s plans for the near future.
What comes next
The next few weeks will be a test of both how patient people are and how good Sooryavanshi actually is. He has the opportunity, the statistics, and sponsorship deals. The important decision will be made by the people Kapil mentioned, and by how the young player ends a season that he’s already changed.
For now, the message is straightforward: continue to watch, carefully evaluate, and let what he does with the bat continue to be the main point of discussion.
