Former Rajasthan Royals head coach Paddy Upton has emphasized the importance of managing off-field challenges for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi‘s growth and development.
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has gained attention this IPL season, scoring over 700 runs with a strike rate exceeding 230. He has also become the youngest player selected for an India squad, joining the T20I team for the upcoming tour of Ireland and England.
Upton mentioned that he would help Sooryavanshi prepare for moments when he might score low, noting that his performance in IPL shows he has a strong mindset for critical moments.
“In terms of his performance, he has proven he can handle big moments. However, it’s important to recognize that it’s unlikely he will maintain such high performance continuously. If I were involved, I would prepare him to expect some low scores and failures, which is completely normal,” Upton remarked on Sportstar.
As the mental conditioning coach of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, Upton pointed out that Sooryavanshi’s main challenge will be managing outside pressures, which can affect even the best athletes.
“The biggest challenge for him is handling the external noise away from the game. Even top athletes struggle with external expectations and judgments from fans, media, and even teammates. This is something he’s not used to and will need to navigate carefully,” he added.
Upton further noted that young stars like Sooryavanshi often attract people seeking to benefit from their success.
“Young superstars often find themselves surrounded by many who want to be part of their journey, but not all have their best interests at heart. Many are focused on their own visibility and reputation,” Upton explained.
As a conditioning coach, Upton said his first step would be to prepare Sooryavanshi for challenging times, emphasizing that he may face career lows.
“Firstly, I would prepare him for potential failure. It’s essential for him to understand what it might feel like if he doesn’t score in his initial innings and how he can manage that experience. Preparing him for setbacks is crucial,” he expressed.
Recently, Sooryavanshi made headlines for a confrontation with a Sri Lanka A player during a match for India A in the ongoing tri-nation series.