Like every other cricketer in the world, Steve Waugh got up and took a note of Vaibhav Suryavanshi when the 14-year-old smashed a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). What impressed the former Australian captain was the youngster’s impeccable timing and striking against the big boys while playing for Rajasthan Royals.
Not only Suryavanshi made history by becoming the youngest-ever IPL centurion, the boy from Samastipur in Bihar also etched his name as the world’s youngest century maker. However, amid all the great things, Waugh pinpointed the future challenges that Suryavanshi might face in coming days.
Keeping all the plans and strategies from the opposition aside, Waugh stressed on the challenge of keeping Suryavanshi’s “control” in the future, during a media interaction on ‘Australian Summer of Cricket 2025-26′ organised by JioStar, Cricket Australia and the Australian Government.
“I watched that century and I just couldn’t believe how well he struck the ball and how easy he was hitting the sixes and how relaxed he was,” Waugh told reporters alongside the greats like Anil Kumble, Matthew Hayden and Robin Uthappa.
“As a 14-year-old, he had no concept of pressure…just play with complete freedom, so that was great to watch. I guess for him the challenge will be to keep it under control,” he added.
“Can he play the same way with the same enthusiasm, the same freedom as he has done this year? That’ll be his challenge,”asked Waugh before adding, “He’s got a lot of skill, he’s mentally tough and he’s got a great backstory, so you want to see someone like that be successful.”
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