At just 14 years old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is already living the dream. He has an IPL contract worth Rs 1.1 crore, set the second-fastest century record in IPL history, and has impressed with the U19 Indian team. His rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. But former India coach Greg Chappell is cautious about the attention and pressure Suryavanshi is getting. He warns that pushing the young cricketer too much too soon could hurt his future

Chappell shared his concerns and urged the BCCI not to put too much pressure on Vaibhav. He compared Suryavanshi’s situation with Vinod Kambli and Prithvi Shaw, two players who showed great promise but couldn't maintain their success in the consistent over the years. Chappell believes that while Suryavanshi has massive talent, it’s important that he isn’t forced into a high-pressure environment that could cause him to lose his way.

Don't make him another Vinod Kambli or Prithvi Shaw.

Greg Chappell told the BCCI, IPL franchise and media to take care of Vaibhav and not exploit him by marketing , but instead should focus on nurturing his talentpic.twitter.com/1zrblJK11o

— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) May 3, 2025

Greg Chappell's Warning to BCCI, Coaches, and Media About Vaibhav Suryavanshi

He also pointed to Sachin Tendulkar as an example of how a young player can succeed with the right support. Tendulkar didn’t just rely on his talent he had a strong support system, a calm mindset. In contrast, Kambli’s fame and flamboyance became too much for him to handle, and Shaw, despite his talent, has faced setbacks in his career.

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Chappell stressed that it’s not just the coaches but also the BCCI, the franchises, mentors, and the media who must ensure that Suryavanshi’s talent is nurtured carefully. Instead of turning him into a media sensation too quickly, the focus on his game and improve his game should be on helping him grow as a player. “It’s important to guide his talent, not just glorify it” Chappell said.

Chappell also reminded everyone that at 14, Suryavanshi is still a child in many ways. His body and mind are still developing, and he’s figuring out who he is. The huge attention he’s getting, with all the expectations and pressure, could be harmful if not handled well. “At this age, Suryavanshi is still a kid. His brain is still growing, his values are still shaping, and his sense of self is still fragile. Too much fame and expectation can be dangerous for someone so young,” Chappell warned.