“Kapil Dev Urges Patience with 14-Year-Old IPL Sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi”

After a record-breaking century and a sudden duck, cricket legend Kapil Dev advises fans and media to give the teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi time to grow, calling him a “good talent” with great potential.

Lucknow, May 2: Cricket legend and 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has called for calm and patience surrounding 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has taken the cricketing world by storm in the ongoing IPL 2025 season.

The Bihar-born southpaw stunned fans with a blistering 101-run knock off just 35 balls against Gujarat Titans at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, becoming the youngest ever centurion in T20 cricket and the fastest Indian to hit an IPL century.

However, just days after making headlines, Suryavanshi came crashing back to earth with a two-ball duck against Mumbai Indians at the same venue. The rollercoaster of fame and failure prompted Kapil Dev to issue a word of caution.

“Give him time, don’t rush it. He is a good talent and has good ability, but time is essential,” Kapil Dev told reporters in Lucknow. “You don’t want to burden such young shoulders too early. Let him grow at his own pace.”

Suryavanshi’s record-breaking ton featured 11 sixes—tying the record for most by an Indian in a single IPL innings with Murali Vijay. The left-hander dismantled a bowling attack boasting over 600 international caps, playing a pivotal role in RR’s successful chase of 210 against GT.

But against Mumbai Indians, the rising star’s momentum was abruptly halted by Deepak Chahar, who dismissed him for zero with a well-placed delivery. His early exit triggered a dramatic collapse, as Rajasthan Royals folded for just 117 runs, officially ending their playoff hopes.

Despite the contrasting highs and lows, Kapil Dev’s message is clear: greatness is a journey, and teenage brilliance must be nurtured with care, not crushed under the weight of early expectations.