Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri reminisced about the time Matthew Hayden could not believe Vaibhav Suryavanshi's age was only 14. This incident is from the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025), in which Suryavanshi scored 252 runs in seven matches at an explosive strike rate of 206.55.
Shastri recounted how a couple of splendid maximums off Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma made Hayden question the young left-handed batter's age. For the unversed, Suryavanshi scored 101 off 38 in against Gujarat Titans
as Rajasthan Royals won by eight wickets and 25 balls to spare.
"I was amazed; I was on air in that game in Jaipur. I went on air in the 4th over, and I did two stints in a row because we were one commentator short by that time. By the 9th, 10th over, he had gotten to his 100, and he had smacked it. He was hitting Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma 10 rows back over extra cover and midwicket. Haydos (Matthew Hayden) was there, and he said, 'Oh he can't be 14', and I said, 'Come on, calm down'," stated Shastri while speaking on the Willow Talk on the LiSTNR podcast.
While discussing about Suryavanshi's talent, Shastri commented on how crucial the upcoming few years will be for him. He opined that a top-quality mentor must guide Suryavanshi and make him mentally stronger for the ups and downs the game will throw at him.
"That now for him is the toughest period. Because he's made such an impression and such a young age, much like Sachin [Tendulkar]. Now, in the next 2-3 years, he needs someone to guide him because you can go off the rails very quickly. It can go into your head; expectations are high, you may not be able to handle it. This is where someone has to go and tell him, 'You are bound to fail at some stage'. This game is a leveller. Don't be upset. It's a part and parcel of life, but you stick to what you're doing, and once you start embracing failure, take it in your stride, that is when you'll do well. This is an important period for him," he added.
Suryavanshi is coming on the back of quite successful tours of England and Australia for the U19 setup. He was recently appointed as the vice-captain of the Bihar state team for the 2025/26 installment of the Ranji Trophy.
