Rahul Dravid Praises Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Mindset, Says Talent Alone Isn’t Enough
India’s teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi is quickly redefining what it means to be a prodigy in the sport. As the young batter continues to capture attention with his fearless approach, Rahul Dravid has shared insights into how he approaches coaching the 14-year-old talent at Rajasthan Royals.
The Bihar-born cricketer has already etched his name in the history books by becoming the youngest centurion in the Indian Premier League and smashing the second-fastest hundred in the tournament’s history. His remarkable rise has drawn praise from across the cricketing world.
Speaking on Breakfast with Champions, Dravid expressed admiration for Suryavanshi’s fearless mindset. The former India coach recalled a particular moment that impressed him deeply—Suryavanshi’s first ball in the IPL, when the teenager launched a six off Indian pacer Shardul Thakur.
“To someone like that, the thing you’re trying to tell him is to just explore the edges of your talent. It is incredible. But I think the gift is the mindset that freedom… first ball in the IPL, to be able to hit Shardul Thakur for a six. I mean, Shardul Thakur is an international bowler, a terrific bowler,” Dravid said.
Dravid explained that what makes players like Suryavanshi special isn’t just their technical ability but their mentality. According to him, skill can be refined, but mindset is something far more difficult to teach.
“It’s not the skill. Skill he has. But it’s the mindset. You can’t really teach that mindset. You can’t coach someone with that mindset. You just have to manage it and own it. You certainly can’t curb it,” he said.
Instead of instructing such players heavily, Dravid believes the role of a coach is to create the right environment for growth. Giving young talents the freedom to experiment and discover their own solutions, he said, is often the most effective approach.
“Creating certain difficulties in the nets, or different situations, and feeding him things he might not be strong at allows him to discover his own way of dealing with it. It’s a process of self-discovery. And don’t get in the process,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Dravid’s association with the Rajasthan Royals has come to an end after just one season as head coach. The franchise confirmed that he was offered a broader role following an internal structural review but ultimately decided not to accept it.
The decision follows a disappointing campaign in the 2025 IPL season, where Rajasthan Royals finished ninth their worst performance since 2021. Dravid, who has had a long association with the franchise as both player and coach, had played a significant role in shaping their auction and retention strategies.
With Dravid stepping away and reports suggesting that captain Sanju Samson may also part ways with the team, the Rajasthan Royals could be heading toward a major overhaul ahead of the 2026 IPL season.
