Daryll Cullinan Warns Against Fast-Tracking Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: ‘He Should Be Writing Exams and Playing Gully Cricket’

Former South Africa cricketer Daryll Cullinan has delivered a strong message regarding the growing hype surrounding teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, urging Indian cricket authorities to prioritise the youngster’s long-term development over immediate international opportunities.

Sooryavanshi has become one of the most talked-about names in world cricket after a sensational rise that included winning the IPL 2026 Orange Cap for Rajasthan Royals and smashing a breathtaking 94 off just 29 balls for India A. The 15-year-old’s performances have sparked widespread calls for his India debut, particularly after India’s recent T20I series defeat to Ireland.

However, Cullinan believes the teenager’s extraordinary talent is exactly why cricket must exercise patience.

Cullinan Urges Cricket to Protect the Teenager

Writing in a column for ESPNcricinfo, Cullinan argued that Sooryavanshi should be allowed to enjoy a normal childhood despite his cricketing success.

“In my view—and I say this with care rather than judgement—he should be at home preparing for his exams, playing gully cricket with his mates, and being a young boy while he still has the chance,” Cullinan wrote.

According to the former South African batter, nurturing the individual behind the talent is just as important as developing the cricketer.

“That does not mean ignoring his talent. It means understanding that the talent will only be truly served if the person carrying it is allowed to grow whole,” he added.

Debate Over India’s Handling of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The debate surrounding Sooryavanshi intensified after he was included in India’s senior T20I squad but did not feature during the recent series against Ireland.

India’s team management opted against handing him an immediate debut, preferring to allow him time to settle into the international environment. The decision divided cricket experts.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin supported the cautious approach, suggesting the youngster should learn the team culture and wait for his opportunity. On the other hand, legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar has advocated for introducing the teenager to international cricket sooner rather than later.

Cullinan, however, believes that rushing a player of Sooryavanshi’s age into the spotlight could carry significant risks.

The Challenge of Growing Up in the Social Media Era

Cullinan highlighted the unique pressures facing young athletes in today’s digital world. Unlike previous generations, modern prodigies are subjected to constant public scrutiny through social media and online platforms.

He pointed out that every innings, every interview, every success and every failure can instantly become a topic of discussion for millions of people.

“The crowd used to leave the stadium at the end of the day. Now it never really leaves at all,” Cullinan wrote.

The former South African batter argued that Sooryavanshi is operating within one of the most commercially powerful sporting ecosystems in the world, where expectations and attention can quickly become overwhelming for a teenager.

Lessons From Other Sporting Prodigies

Cullinan referenced several famous examples from tennis, including Jennifer Capriati, Andrea Jaeger and Tracy Austin, whose careers were impacted by the pressures of early success.

He warned that sporting history is filled with examples of teenage stars who struggled to cope with the immense expectations placed upon them at a young age.

According to Cullinan, cricket currently lacks formal safeguards similar to those introduced in professional tennis, where age-based participation rules were implemented to better protect young athletes.

Sachin Tendulkar Named as Ideal Mentor

Cullinan also suggested that Sooryavanshi seek guidance from Sachin Tendulkar, who understands the challenges of becoming a national icon as a teenager better than almost anyone in cricket history.

Tendulkar made his international debut at the age of 16 and spent more than two decades handling the expectations of millions of fans.

“It is my sincere hope that he will turn to Tendulkar for guidance. He could not be more lucky than to have a mentor in a fellow Indian cricketer who has been through it all and seen it all,” Cullinan wrote.

Focus Should Be on a Long Career, Not an Early Debut

While Sooryavanshi’s talent is unquestionable, Cullinan believes the priority should be ensuring the teenager enjoys a long and successful career rather than rushing him into international cricket.

His message was simple but powerful: the goal should not be to see a cricketing sensation burn brightly for a few years, but to watch a fully developed player thrive for decades.

“What we should hope for is that he retires at 40 and not washed up at 25,” Cullinan concluded.