It’s a classic David versus Goliath clash as eighth-placed Rajasthan Royals prepare to take on second-ranked Mumbai Indians on Thursday, May 1, in Jaipur. Yet, the buzz ahead of the match remains firmly focused on 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose blistering century against Gujarat Titans on April 28 lit up the cricketing world.
Vaibhav's 101 off just 38 balls, which helped RR chase down 209 with 25 balls to spare, left even an injured Rahul Dravid – coaching from the sidelines with a fractured leg – applauding on his feet. But as Thursday's match approaches, Dravid was quick to bring the focus back to reality.
Speaking at a pre-match media interaction in the Star Sports press room, the RR head coach expressed delight at the teenager’s performance but offered a measured perspective.
I didn’t get to see much of him beforehand — he was playing in an Under-19 event. But someone that young, with such a range of shots, clearly has great potential. That said, he is by no means a finished product. We need to give him space, allow him to grow, and let him discover who he is as a cricketer.
“Fearlessness That Stood Out”
When asked to reflect on Vaibhav’s innings, Dravid was especially impressed by the youngster’s mindset.
“What really stood out to me was his level of fearlessness—his ability to stay calm and not be fazed by the occasion. That’s truly special and rare at that age. The range of shots he displayed shows there’s more to come, but again, he’s just starting out.”
Nobody should rush to label him as something he’s not. He is what he is—an exceptionally talented young player who must continue improving. This format can be unforgiving. He will have games that don’t go well. Our job is to support him to play in a way he enjoys and to be himself.
Letting the Youngster Breathe
On how the RR coaching team plans to manage such a young player on such a big stage, Dravid said the focus is on creating a supportive, pressure-free environment.
“We’re allowing him to enjoy himself. There will be lessons, mistakes, and growth. At this point, we want him to soak everything in and just have fun.”
In typical Dravid fashion, he deflected personal credit and highlighted the system behind Vaibhav’s rise.
“The biggest credit goes to the boy himself. He’s come through the Bihar system, attended NCA camps, and had the support of his father. Coaches like Vikram, Surya, and Sairaj have all contributed. I’m happy to be part of his journey, but he’s far from the finished article.”
On Media Attention and Young Talent
Dravid acknowledged the growing media spotlight but stressed the importance of emotional and psychological support.
We can’t control what the media writes, and neither can Vaibhav. What we can do is ensure he has a support system around him and the space to just be a kid.
Having mentored the likes of Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Prithvi Shaw during his time at NCA and India A, Dravid has seen both the ups and downs of young prodigies.
“Some journeys go smoothly, others take time—and that’s perfectly fine.”
Keep It Simple, Let Him Play
Dravid shared that their coaching approach with Vaibhav is built around simplicity.
“We try not to confuse him. We understand the kind of cricket he enjoys—attacking and positive—and set him up to play that way without overthinking.”
He also praised Vaibhav’s opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal for his leadership on the field.
“Jaiswal played a fantastic innings in that game, and it got overshadowed—which says a lot! He’s taken on the role of a senior player now. He started out here as a teenager himself, and it’s great to see him supporting the next generation.”
On Samson, the Playoffs, and Perspective
Dravid remained non-committal about Sanju Samson’s recovery, only saying that he was being monitored daily and showing signs of improvement.
On RR’s playoff hopes, he said the focus is on taking one match at a time. “We’ve lost a few close games, which has hurt our position on the table. But this is a tight tournament with small margins. Every game counts now, and we’re aiming to win them all.”
