Vaibhav Suryavanshi learns a hard lesson — talent isn’t enough
With the IPL, this is a very particular problem. This is a sport: one team will win and one will lose. Alongside India’s loss, Vaibhav’s gesture will also be the talking point of the day. And yet, when it comes to temperament, there is much to be desired. You need to take it in your stride and digest it. When you have been dismissed for a false shot, all you need to do is walk off, even more so when your team is in trouble. It is India you are representing, and things are politically charged between the two countries – we know that. Mistakes happen, and this was a bad one. Controlling anger is as much a part of sport as hitting a big six. We know what happened during the Asia Cup. From showing the middle finger to becoming the cricketer Virat Kohli became should be a lesson for Vaibhav. But to cross the line and do what he did looked bad on television. That’s where restraint is needed, especially in the face of provocation. That’s totally fine.
You start to think anything and everything is allowed or passable. Sport, as Abhinav Bindra always says, teaches you how to lose. I am sure he idolises Virat Kohli. What happened today should be a huge learning lesson for him. But to show your foot, then point your finger at the bowler, and then point to your feet was plain ugly. It is not your day, and that’s how sport is and always will be. It was not needed – just not needed. We hope Vaibhav learns from this mistake and gets better with time. It made you look like a sore loser, and that’s where we need to question temperament. With every loss, you get better and move closer to success. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is hugely talented – indeed, one of the most gifted youngsters around.
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Cricket is the sport he plays, and while we celebrate, there has to be restraint. And yes, he crossed the line. Some, like Hardik Pandya, have made mistakes in the past, learned from them, and become better. Pakistan had the ascendancy, and it was natural they would push Vaibhav. And I hope we, the media included, ensure that we don’t make these young people feel larger than life – for they are not. Young players get name and fame early, and it is hard to deal with. He is just another talented youngster who has made money thanks to the IPL. It is not. We hope Vaibhav does the same, for staying humble will make him the cricketer he can be.
