Rising Star At 14: Can Vaibhav Suryavanshi Handle The Heat Of Fame?

Sakshi Sharma

Vaibhav Suryavanshi with young fans (Source:@gamesmglion,x.com)Vaibhav Suryavanshi with young fans (Source:@gamesmglion,x.com)

At just 14 years of age, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has already achieved what most budding cricketers only dream of. The rising star made headlines when he was picked up for a whopping Rs 1.1 crore by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2025 auction. Back then, he was only 13.

Just months later, he stunned fans by smashing the fastest century by an Indian in IPL history, scoring 100 in just 35 balls. Playing seven matches in his debut IPL season, the teenager piled up 252 runs at a strike-rate of 206.55. 

This performance turned him into an overnight star. With every inning, Vaibhav proved that his talent is not just hype. But as the reputation grows, so does the pressure. 

Fans, Fame And The Fragile Balance Of Early Success

After IPL 2025, Vaibhav’s journey took him to England with India’s U19 team. And the fanfare followed. In one viral moment, two teenage fans, Aanya and Rivaa, drove six hours to Worcester just to meet their cricketing idol. Dressed in RR's pink jerseys, the girls waited eagerly for a chance to click a photo with him.

On another occasion, Vaibhav was welcomed by fans outside the training centre. He happily posed for selfies and signed autographs on miniature bats. The 14-year-old was seen smiling and soaking in the attention with surprising maturity.

But with such a meteoric rise comes a vital question: Is it too much, too soon?

Learning From The Past To Secure The Future

History offers a cautionary tale in cricket. Prithvi Shaw was once considered the golden boy of Indian cricket. He rose through the ranks swiftly and also made a thunderous start with a century on his Test debut. But off-field distractions, fitness issues, and inconsistency had kept him away from fulfilling his enormous potential.

Going further back, you will find Vinod Kambli. He too had a dream start, scoring double centuries in Test cricket. However, with time and the overhype of fandom, he faded out and was unable to handle the name and fame.

Now, Vaibhav Suryavanshi faces a similar situation. He has the talent. He has the stage. But will he get the guidance? 

The Double-Edged Sword Of Popularity

Fame in the age of social media is immediate and overwhelming. For a 14-year-old, being hailed as the "next big thing" can be both a blessing and a curse. The pressure to perform, to maintain public image, and to constantly improve is intense.

The moment you go viral, everything changes for you. If you are not grounded, you get swept away. What Vaibhav needs now is not more attention- he needs protection.

There is a risk that he could be overexposed before even making it to the higher level. Limelight, excessive fan-following, and unrealistic expectations have derailed many young stars before. Fame does not always wait for maturity.

So as the Indian cricket’s bench strength is growing deeper. There needs to be a system that protects kids like Vaibhav from the harsh reality of instant fame.

Patience Is The Key For Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Vaibhav Suryavanshi is undoubtedly a name to watch. He has the skill, temperament, and potential to become great.But at 14, he is technically still a child. Let him grow at his own pace. Indian cricket does not need another shooting star, it needs someone who can shine steadily for decades. 

Let’s not rush the boy. Let’s build the man.

Let’s not be in a hurry to turn the boy into a man. Maester Aemon picked the right time to tell these words to Jon Snow in Game Of Thrones. Let’s not do the opposite in reality.

Let’s give Vaibhav Suryavanshi the space to fail, learn, rise, and shine -not just now, but for years to come.