Former India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has urged fans and experts to avoid placing unrealistic expectations on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, insisting the youngster should be given time to develop without the burden of constant comparisons and predictions. The 15-year-old batter has made an encouraging start to his international career after impressing during India’s recent T20I tour of Zimbabwe. Sooryavanshi scored two half-centuries in three innings, showcasing the fearless batting that earned him widespread recognition during the IPL.

While he displayed flashes of brilliance on the tour of England, he found the tougher batting conditions more challenging and eventually lost his place in the playing XI. Despite the mixed results, Sooryavanshi continues to be regarded as one of India’s brightest young prospects. Having represented India only in T20Is so far, the left-handed batter has already been tipped to succeed across all three formats. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has also expressed hope that the teenager will one day wear the whites for India in Test cricket.

However, Rahane believes it is far too early to make such predictions. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, the veteran batter said the excitement surrounding Sooryavanshi should not translate into unnecessary pressure. “It’s tough to say or comment on right now,” Rahane said when asked whether the youngster could become a successful Test cricketer.

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Rahane, who recently retired from all forms of cricket, stressed that performing in the IPL and succeeding for India are two entirely different challenges. According to him, the pressure of international cricket is significantly higher, and young players need time to adapt to those demands.

“I don’t want to say anything and put pressure on that young kid because people are already talking a lot about him. It’s just two IPL seasons. What I’ve realised is that IPL and international cricket are completely different. The pressure when you represent your country is much higher,” Ajinkya Rahane explained.

The former India captain also illustrated the difference between franchise and international cricket, noting that chasing 70 runs in the final few overs of an IPL match is very different from doing so while representing the national team. He urged everyone to allow Sooryavanshi to progress at his own pace.

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“Let him play his game and let him grow. What he needs most at this stage is the right guidance and a supportive environment,” Ajinkya Rahane concluded, emphasising that patience will be key to unlocking the teenager’s immense potential.