Chaminda Vaas Backs Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Urges Patience Over Pressure

New Delhi, July 4, 2026 Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas has expressed strong confidence in 15-year-old Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, saying he possesses all the qualities needed to succeed at the international level. While praising the youngster’s talent, Vaas stressed that his development should be allowed to happen naturally and without unnecessary expectations. The former pacer is currently in India as the mentor of Palamuru Strikers in the Telangana T20 League. Chaminda Vaas said, “India has consistently produced world-class young cricketers over the past few years. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is still very young. He should be given time to develop as a player. I am sure he will get the opportunity to play for India and perform well. He will cement his place in the national team and do something special. I just want to say that people should not put pressure on him.” Vaibhav Suryavanshi has remained in the spotlight since making his IPL debut in 2025. After scoring a century during the season, he continued his impressive run with India A and the India Under-19 team across different formats. In IPL 2026, representing Rajasthan Royals, he amassed 776 runs to claim the Orange Cap, a performance that also earned him a place in India’s T20 squad. Highlighting the importance of domestic T20 tournaments, Chaminda Vaas described leagues like the Telangana T20 League as valuable platforms for identifying and nurturing emerging talent. He said, “The Hyderabad Cricket Association’s first Telangana T20 tournament is a fantastic initiative for young players. Every team has plenty of talent. Palamuru Strikers also have several promising youngsters performing well. As a team, we have not delivered the results we expected, but many players have impressed.” He further added, “Indian cricket has done an excellent job for young players. It is not just Hyderabad; almost every state conducts T20 tournaments. This gives players valuable experience and exposure, helping them progress to the IPL and eventually the Indian team.”