Dravid urges patience for Sooryavanshi's all-format development

Former India captain and coach Rahul Dravid has called for patience and a balanced approach in the development of teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, emphasizing that nurturing his skills across all formats is crucial for the future of Test cricket. Dravid’s comments come as the 15-year-old begins a pivotal phase of his career, shifting focus to the longer format of the game.

Sooryavanshi, who was born on March 27, 2011, has already made a significant impact in whiteball cricket. He was the Most Valuable Player in the IPL 2026 season, scoring 776 runs for the Rajasthan Royals, a performance that led to his T20I debut for India in England in June. However, Dravid believes the young batter’s long-term growth depends on gaining substantial experience in domestic red-ball cricket.

The teenager has now begun the new domestic season with East Zone in the Duleep Trophy, a first-class tournament that provides a vital platform for him to develop consistency in the longer format. Dravid, who coached Sooryavanshi at the Rajasthan Royals during the 2025 IPL season, stressed the importance of this transition. “I think you always have to find that balance. And I think it’s a great...