In a sharp reality check for India’s newest cricketing sensation, former cricketer Yograj Singh has urged Vaibhav Suryavanshi to focus on Test cricket if he wants to achieve lasting greatness in the sport. While praising the 14-year-old for his explosive IPL 2025 performance, Yograj questioned whether today’s rising stars can endure the physical and mental rigors of five-day matches.
“My vision is Test cricket. Can you survive five days? That’s the real test,” Yograj said in an interview with InsideSport.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi: IPL 2025’s Teenage Phenom
Suryavanshi made headlines during IPL 2025 when he smashed the fastest IPL century by an Indian, scoring 101 runs off just 38 balls, including 11 sixes and 7 boundaries. With a phenomenal strike rate of 206.55, he racked up 252 runs and introduced himself with a first-ball six — becoming an overnight sensation.
Now, the 14-year-old is preparing to represent India in the U-19 tour of England from June 24 to July 23, which includes:
- One 50-over warm-up match
- Five Youth One-Day Internationals
- Two multi-day (red ball) matches
This tour marks his transition from the glamorous world of T20 to the endurance-testing format of red-ball cricket — the very stage Yograj believes separates the good from the great.
Yograj Singh’s Candid Criticism
Yograj Singh, father of 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh, didn’t hold back. He criticized the over-reliance on white-ball formats among young cricketers, saying:
“Today, we cannot even play 50 overs. You struggle because you are only concentrating on T20, IPL and 50 overs,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for holistic development across all formats.
He also took a swipe at cricketing authorities and coaches, saying they prefer comfort over grassroots work: “All the coaches want to sit in air conditioning. I am standing under 48°C heat, trying to create the next Yuvraj.”
The Bigger Debate: T20 Stardom vs Test Endurance
Yograj’s comments reignite the ongoing debate in Indian cricket — are IPL prodigies being fast-tracked too soon without the foundational resilience of longer formats?
Suryavanshi’s success mirrors the journeys of other IPL breakout stars like Priyansh Arya and Ayush Mhatre, but unlike his peers, Vaibhav now faces the critical test of adapting to multi-day cricket.
While Yograj’s words may sound harsh, they underscore an essential truth: T20 cricket builds fame; Test cricket builds legacy.
What Lies Ahead for Suryavanshi?
The upcoming England tour will be a critical proving ground. Can the swashbuckling teenager adjust his tempo and mindset for longer innings? Can he face the swinging Duke ball in overcast English conditions?
One thing is clear: the entire cricketing community — from veterans like Yograj Singh to fans across the country — will be watching.
