“Many Like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Came and Disappeared”: Kapil Dev’s Harsh Warning Sparks Debate

Former India captain Kapil Dev has urged caution regarding 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, warning that many talented youngsters have vanished without fulfilling their potential. Kapil stated it is premature to label Sooryavanshi India's next superstar, arguing that true greatness requires handling international pressure and performing consistently for two to three years. He referenced Vinod Kambli as an example of a player who started brightly but could not sustain his early success.

Writer Siddhant Tripathi argues that while Kapil makes a valid point about long-term consistency, dismissing the excitement surrounding Sooryavanshi is unnecessarily harsh. Tripathi highlights Sooryavanshi's remarkable IPL 2026 campaign, in which he scored 776 runs with a strike rate above 230, alongside his 175-run knock in the Under-19 World Cup final against England as clear justification for the high expectations.