venkatapathy raju

Vaibhav Suryavanshi vs Sachin Tendulkar: ‘He’s special, but don’t rush him,’ says former India selector | Cricket News

Danijones10 hours ago05 mins

RR’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav) Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has emerged as cricket’s newest sensation after becoming the youngest debutant in Indian Premier League history following his debut for Rajasthan Royals against Lucknow Super Giants on April 19, 2025. The young batter, who was purchased by RR for ₹1.10 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, made an immediate impact by scoring 34 runs off 20 balls in his first match and later became the youngest player to score an IPL century at 14 years and 32 days. Suryavanshi’s rise to prominence began when he got his opportunity after RR captain Sanju Samson’s injury. His debut innings included a first-ball six, showcasing his aggressive batting style. On April 28, he achieved a remarkable milestone by scoring 101 runs off just 38 balls against Gujarat Titans. His century came in 35 deliveries, making it the second-fastest in IPL history behind Chris Gayle’s 30-ball hundred and the fastest by an Indian player. Born on March 27, 2011, in Bihar, Suryavanshi started his cricket journey at the age of four under his father’s guidance. He joined a cricket academy at nine years old and first gained attention when he represented Bihar’s U-19 squad in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy as a 12-year-old. Kuldeep Yadav hints at spin-friendly wicket ahead of England Test series His recent performances include a notable 190-run knock off 90 balls in India U-19’s preparatory match before their England tour. In the 2024 ACC U-19 Asia Cup, he scored 76 off 46 balls against UAE and 67 off 36 deliveries in the semi-finals against Sri Lanka. The young cricketer’s performances have drawn comparisons to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut for India at 16 years old against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989. Poll Do you think comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar are justified for Suryavanshi? Former India spinner and BCCI selector Venkatapathy Raju has advised patience regarding Suryavanshi’s potential India senior team debut. “Yes, yes, he will take a lot of time. He has to be one of those guys who needs to well in U-19 World Cups. He has to perform quite a bit in domestic cricket. Four-day games. And we can give time. See, talent-wise, we’ve already seen him, what he can do with a white ball, right?” Raju said. Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Raju also addressed the comparisons with Tendulkar, emphasizing the importance of consistency and experience in longer format games. “It depends on the consistency, right? We’re a firm believer. We might talk about somebody like Sachin, right? First, Ranji Trophy debut, he got 100. Duleep Trophy, he got 100. Rest of India, he got 100, right? All three-day games. All four-day games. All five-day games. So, like that, I think when you know the talent, we should give him enough time to go and play, do well, and you feel that he’s really good enough and he can perform, why not? We can still bring him in,” he said. Suryavanshi is currently with the India U-19 team in England, continuing his development in international cricket. His rapid rise through domestic cricket ranks and impressive performances in the IPL have established him as one of cricket’s most promising young talents.

BCCI told to hold Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s India call-up: ‘Sachin Tendulkar hit 100s on Ranji, Duleep, Irani Trophy debut’

Danijones17 hours ago07 mins

Since making his Indian Premier League debut, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has become a known name in world cricket. What made the Rajasthan Royals batter special is that he is only 14 years old. He is the youngest debutant in IPL history and the youngest Indian List A debutant. Initially, when RR broke the bank for the youngster, purchasing him for ₹1.10 crore (from a base price of ₹30 lakhs) at the IPL 2025 mega auction, there were question marks over the move, with many also feeling that it was for commercial and marketing reasons. The youngster initially didn’t even feature in RR’s matches in the first half of IPL 2025, and it was only when skipper Sanju Samson picked up an injury that young Suryavanshi got his opportunity. He made his IPL debut against Lucknow Super Giants on April 19, and the rest… as they say… is history. Vaibhav Suryavanshi has a long way to go(Shrikant Singh) In his debut match, Suryavanshi smacked 34 runs off 20 balls, offering a glimpse of his aggressive brilliance with a first-ball six. As it turns out, it just didn’t end there. On April 28, he became the youngest player to score a century in the IPL, at 14 years and 32 days old, hammering 101 off 38 balls vs Gujarat Titans. What made it sweeter was that he got to his hundred in only 35 deliveries, making it the second-fastest century in IPL history, only behind Chris Gayle (30 balls), and the fastest by an Indian – Yusuf Pathan. Suryavanshi’s performance in the IPL, coupled with his recent 190-run knock off 90 balls in India U-19’s preparatory match ahead of their upcoming England tour, has also led to comparisons with none other than the great Sachin Tendulkar. Also Read: ’50 overs bhi nahi khel sakte…’ Vaibhav Suryavanshi hype meets reality check; Yograj asks ‘Can he survive 5 days?’ Tendulkar enjoyed a similar start, catching everyone’s attention with his domestic cricket performance long before the IPL was even thought of. At the tender age of 16, Sachin made his international debut for India in a Test match against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989. We all know what Tendulkar went on to achieve in his career, winding up his career 25 years later as arguably the greatest batter in the history of the game. Suryavanshi’s recent performances have also led to many fans calling for his Indian senior team debut, with comparisons with Sachin only intensifying on social media. Some also feel that Suryavanshi can be a good addition to the Test team, because of his intent and pedigree. Also Read: Indian cricket’s next Sachin Tendulkar identified after Virat Kohli’s retirement ‘They’ve unearthed an absolute gem’ However, former India spinner Venkatapathy Raju doesn’t think so. Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Raju, who was also the BCCI selector for India’s 2007 World T20 squad, feels fans and the board will need to wait for some time before Suryavanshi is seen in India clothing. “Yes, yes, he will take a lot of time. He has to be one of those guys who needs to well in U-19 World Cups. He has to perform quite a bit in domestic cricket. Four-day games. And we can give time. See, talent-wise, we’ve already seen him, what he can do with a white ball, right?” Raju said. No comparison with Sachin Tendulkar Raju also downplayed comparisons with Tendulkar, reminding the world of the legendary player’s domestic performance before his India debut. “It depends on the consistency, right? We’re a firm believer. We might talk about somebody like Sachin, right? First, Ranji Trophy debut, he got 100. Duleep Trophy, he got 100. Rest of India, he got 100, right? All three-day games. All four-day games. All five-day games. So, like that, I think when you know the talent, we should give him enough time to go and play, do well, and you feel that he’s really good enough and he can perform, why not? We can still bring him in,” he said. Suryavanshi is currently with the India U-19 team in England, eager to leave behind a good impression. Born on March 27, 2011, in Bihar, and according to reports, Suryavanshi started playing cricket at four years old. His first coach was his father. Vaibhav joined an academy at the age of nine and first came under the scanner when he played at the Vinoo Mankad Trophy as a 12-year-old for Bihar’s U-19 squad. Last year, at the 2024 ACC U-19 Asia Cup, Suryavanshi smacked 76 off 46 balls versus the UAE, and 67 off 36 deliveries against Sri Lanka in the semi-finals.

India tour of England: Like England have Shoaib Bashir, India should back their ‘surprise package’ Kuldeep Yadav, says ex-India cricketer | Cricket News

Danijones1 day ago010 mins

Kuldeep Yadav (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: If you look at Kuldeep Yadav’s Test career, his highest wicket tally is against England — but all those wickets have come in home conditions. The left-arm wrist spinner has featured in just one Test against England in England — back in 2018 at Lord’s — a match he’d prefer to forget. On a green pitch under rain-affected conditions, Kuldeep had a tough time. He bowled nine overs, conceding 44 runs without taking a wicket, and scored a pair with the bat in a match India lost by an innings and 159 runs.Now, with Ravichandran Ashwin retired, India will be counting on Kuldeep to shoulder the responsibility of leading the spin attack. Teaming up with fellow left-arm spinner and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, the duo could potentially form a lethal combination.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!But can Kuldeep live up to expectations? Can he be India’s trump card on this tough English tour? Will he recreate the magic he spun against England at home? Poll Will Kuldeep Yadav be able to lead India’s spin attack successfully in the upcoming Test series against England? As India gear up for the five-match Test series starting June 20 at Headingley in Leeds, former India left-arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju believes Kuldeep could be India’s surprise weapon — and a potential match-winner in English conditions.“Kuldeep Yadav can be a real surprise package in England. If you look at the current weather conditions, they’re not too different from India — it’s been quite hot across Europe. That’s why I feel he should be the first-choice spinner,” Raju told TimesofIndia.com during an interaction arranged by Sony Sports Network.“The team management needs to back him and clearly define his role. He must be made to believe he’s going to be a match-winner,” added Raju, who represented India in 28 Tests and picked up 93 wickets.“When you compare options, someone like Washington Sundar hasn’t bowled much in red-ball cricket lately, and while Ravindra Jadeja can contain and even run through sides on helpful pitches, Kuldeep offers that X-factor. Like England has Bashir, India should bank on Kuldeep. He should be leading the spin attack in this series and must believe that he can deliver big. For me, he should be in the XI for most, if not all, Tests,” he said.‘NOT SURPRISED BY SARFARAZ’S OMISSION’The debate around Sarfaraz Khan’s continued exclusion despite his rich form is gaining momentum on social media.Even after an impressive debut Test series against England earlier this year, Sarfaraz has had to wait for another opportunity in the playing XI. His omission from consecutive Test series has now become a major talking point among fans and former players alike.Sarfaraz made a strong start to his Test career, scoring back-to-back fifties on debut against England in Rajkot in 2024. Prior to that, he also notched up a 150 in India’s first Test against New Zealand last year. Despite these performances, he was left out of the squad for the Australia tour and has once again been omitted from the upcoming England series.The 27-year-old has worked hard on his fitness, shedding weight and focusing on conditioning, but the call-up continues to elude him.He also scored 92 in an unofficial Test against the England Lions and followed it up with a blistering knock in the intra-squad match at Kent County Ground in Beckenham — smashing 101 runs off just 76 balls, including 15 boundaries and two sixes.What went wrong for Sarfaraz remains unclear.Former India spinner Venkatapathy Raju believes Sarfaraz simply needs to wait for his opportunity.“Not really surprised. He’s a young player and there’s a lot of cricket coming up in the next two years. If he’s not in the playing XI right now, it might be better for him to go back and keep playing domestic matches. That keeps him match-ready for when an opportunity opens up — maybe due to injury or form issues in the main squad,” Raju told TimesofIndia.com.“Sometimes, you just miss out because of team combinations. We’ve seen that in the past — even players like KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma had to wait for their chances. The good thing is Sarfaraz is focused on improving his fitness, he’s shed a lot of weight, and he clearly wants to cement his place. He’s definitely a talented player and has the potential to be a match-winner. Hopefully, when his chance comes, he’ll be ready to grab it,” he added. ‘Nitish Kumar is a guy who can bowl that magic ball’: India bowling coach Morne Morkel ‘YOUNG TEAM INDIA WILL DELIVER’The upcoming Test series against England marks the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket. No Rohit Sharma. No Virat Kohli. And no R Ashwin. With Shubman Gill taking over as captain, India will field a squad that includes several fresh faces — some with limited experience, and others set to play in English conditions for the first time.India’s last Test series win in England came in 2007 under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy. Prior to that, the team achieved historic triumphs in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar and in 1986 under Kapil Dev.Can this young and relatively inexperienced Indian side script history once again on English soil?“If you look back at the Australia series — not the last one where we won the first Test but ended up losing the series — I’m talking about the one before that. Back then, we had a relatively inexperienced squad, but still managed to win two Tests and the series. Players like Washington Sundar and T. Natarajan went as net bowlers but ended up winning matches for India,” Raju said.“This tour could be similar. There’s a lot of talent in the squad, and many of these players have played overseas and understand what’s required to succeed. It’s a great opportunity for them to step up, make a mark, and establish themselves as reliable Test players. Let’s wait and watch — I’m hopeful they’ll grab their chances and deliver,” he…