Rahul Dravid Emphasises Multi-Format Growth and Patience for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has stressed the importance of young cricketers developing skills across all formats of the game to safeguard the future of Test cricket, pointing to teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as an example of balancing white-ball success with domestic red-ball cricket.
What Happened
Speaking to Cricinfo, Rahul Dravid discussed the career trajectory of 15-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Dravid, who served as head coach of Rajasthan Royals when the franchise secured Sooryavanshi ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, outlined the balance required between short-format cricket and long-form domestic matches.
Sooryavanshi, born on March 27, 2011, has already established strong white-ball credentials, notably scoring 776 runs and earning the Most Valuable Player award for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 season. Despite this limited-overs success, Dravid emphasised the importance of Sooryavanshi dedicating time to India’s domestic red-ball setup following his first-class debut in January 2024.
Key Highlights
- Advocating for All-Format Development: Dravid stated that the survival and expansion of Test cricket depend on nurturing cricketers who possess the capability to compete across multiple formats rather than focusing solely on T20 cricket.
- IPL Impact: Sooryavanshi achieved significant white-ball success with Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 2026 season, tallying 776 runs and being named Most Valuable Player.
- Red-Ball Focus: Instead of entering global T20 franchise tournaments, the young cricketer is focusing on the Indian domestic red-ball structure to improve his skills.
- Call for Patience: Dravid urged fans and observers to maintain realistic expectations, cautioning that a 15-year-old player will naturally experience performance fluctuations.
Why This Matters
According to Dravid, developing all-format proficiency among rising talents directly impacts the foundation and longevity of international Test cricket. By prioritising domestic first-class competitions over worldwide franchise leagues, young players build the technical and mental discipline required for the longest format. Dravid noted that if Sooryavanshi continues to perform and refine his abilities in domestic red-ball matches, he could potentially represent India at the Test level in the future.
What to Watch Next
Sooryavanshi is expected to continue building his first-class experience within the Indian domestic circuit alongside his Indian Premier League commitments, using regular match time to address the gap between his red-ball and white-ball experience levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is an Indian cricketer born on March 27, 2011. He made his first-class debut in January 2024 and played for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
What did Rahul Dravid say about Test cricket?
Dravid stated that Test cricket needs players who can compete across all formats to ensure the format’s long-term health and growth, stressing that young talents should not limit themselves exclusively to T20 cricket.
What were Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s achievements in the IPL?
Sooryavanshi was signed by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2025 season and went on to score 776 runs, earning the Most Valuable Player award in the IPL 2026 season.
Source: Crictracker / Cricinfo interview