In a candid ESPNcricinfo chat, Carlos Brathwaite, West Indies’ ex-star, calls for patience with 15-year-old IPL firecracker Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Comparing him to Brian Lara, he stresses gradual integration over instant international stardom.
‘West Indies didn’t throw Lara into the deep end,’ Brathwaite explained on Timeout. ‘A once-in-a-generation player, Lara honed skills alongside Viv Richards in domestic tours, shielded from Test pressures until ready. The result? An iconic career.’
India should replicate this, pairing Suryavanshi with Kohli, Sharma, and young guns in age-group and A-team cricket. His blistering IPL 2026 form—357 runs in eight games, including a 36-ball hundred and 15-ball fifties—has sparked T20I inclusion demands.
Recall his 2025 debut: a 35-ball ton vs. GT, youngest ever in T20s. This season, 32 maximums and 31 boundaries against top pacers like Bumrah and Hazlewood showcase raw power. But Brathwaite cautions: premature exposure risks stunting growth.
Domestic circuits, India A, and U19s offer the perfect lab. ‘Give him time with seniors without the spotlight,’ Brathwaite said. As Suryavanshi’s fearless strokeplay captivates, his trajectory could mirror Lara’s—if handled right. India’s selectors face a pivotal choice.
