“At his age, bad habits in the game can creep in easily” - Ex-Indian cricketer offers a piece of advice to Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Former Indian batter Devang Gandhi has warned the 14-year-old opening batter, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, after his 190-run monstrous knock against Arunachal Pradesh in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 campaign.

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Speaking exclusively to The Times of India, Gandhi asserted that it’s high time BCCI should be proactive in scheduling more top-quality opposition sides for players like Vaibhav to improve their game. Moreover, he urged Vaibhav to play more top-class red-ball cricket.

“As selectors, you will never take these records into account. BCCI has to be proactive. It has to create a parallel system for talented players like Suryavanshi coming from these states,” Devang Gandhi told TOI.

“For Suryavanshi's growth, he needs to play tough First-Class cricket. At the moment, he is only playing white-ball cricket. BCCI will have to find a way for Suryavanshi to have exposure to top-class red-ball cricket,” said Gandhi.

“It shouldn't be the case where the hours he is putting in domestic cricket are becoming meaningless. At his age, bad habits in the game can creep in easily if he is exposed to poor-quality cricket for a long time,” concluded Gandhi.

On Friday, December 26, Vaibhav was felicitated by President Droupadi Murmu with the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar’. He was recognised for his sensational batting performances for India in the age-group cricket and also in the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

It’s worth noting that the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is India's highest civilian honour for children aged 5 to 18. Also, Vaibhav will have the distinct honour of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an interaction aimed at inspiring the next generation.

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Vaibhav will miss the remainder of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign after his 190-run knock against Arunachal Pradesh, as he will be joining the India U19 team for the preparatory camp ahead of the ICC U19 World Cup, starting in January.

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