Former India's head coach Rahul Dravid shared his insights about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's progression as a versatile player. Despite Sooryavanshi's evident talent in shorter formats, Dravid stresses the importance of patience before introducing him into the demanding world of test cricket. He emphasizes that while Sooryavanshi possesses the potential to excel in red ball cricket, rushing him could hamper his development.
Dravid pointed out that Sooryavanshi has played predominantly white ball cricket and lacks sufficient experience in the longer format. The test arena requires not just skill but also endurance, technique, and temperament, traits that are often honed over time. India is fortunate to have many talented players, so there’s no rush to push Suryavanshi into the test squad prematurely. The coach advises focusing on nurturing his skills and allowing his game to mature organically.
Adding to this, Dravid expressed how exciting it would be to see a player like Sooryavanshi succeed in test cricket, which remains the sport's most challenging and respected format. Continued success in this format can help sustain and revive audience interest, especially in countries where test cricket's popularity is waning. Sooryavanshi’s inclusion, if timed right, could add a fresh and dynamic dimension to the Indian test team while inspiring cricket enthusiasts.