NEW DELHI: Former World Cup-winning Indian bowler Madan Lal has expressed admiration for 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi‘s outstanding IPL performances, whilst advising that natural ability alone is insufficient for continued success. Lal emphasised that the young talent from Bihar’s Samastipur must maintain discipline and focus to progress further.
“He’s very talented. But talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. He needs to be focused, disciplined, and keep working hard. If his process is right, I believe he can achieve amazing heights,” Lal told PTI.
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Suryavanshi has garnered widespread acclaim after scoring a remarkable 35-ball century against the league leaders Gujarat Titans.
“I’ve never seen a kid like this. When I was captain of the Delhi team, Sachin (Tendulkar) played against us at a very young age and scored around 80 runs in the Ranji Trophy semifinal.
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“Then came Virat Kohli, who is still playing. And now, everyone is talking about Suryavanshi. He has all the makings of a superstar,” he said.
Lal acknowledged Suryavanshi’s batting prowess as innate ability.
“…but it’s up to you how you work on it. Your sincerity, discipline, upbringing – these matter a lot. Family support is important too. When your parents are disciplined and supportive, that gives you added motivation,” he explained.
Lal suggested that Suryavanshi should participate extensively in domestic cricket.
“Playing in different conditions against various opponents helps you grow,” he reasoned.
