'When Laxman saw him crying in dressing room...': VVS' recommendation to Dravid, BCCI's backing changed Vaibhav's career

By Admin

30 Apr, 2025

In the high-stakes world of Indian cricket, where talent often waits patiently for recognition, it only takes one moment, one believer, to alter a young player’s destiny. For 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, that moment came not with his IPL selection by Rajasthan Royals or even his historic 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans on April 28, 2025, but in a quiet dressing room during an under-19 match, when tears ran down his face—and VVS Laxman noticed.

Vaibhav’s rise to fame seemed meteoric after Rajasthan Royals picked him up for a stunning INR 1.1 crore at the IPL auction. His explosive ton in Jaipur has since become the talk of the cricketing world. But behind the numbers and headlines lies a more emotional and deeply human story—a story that began in the heartlands of Bihar and found its turning point in the words of a mentor.

Having impressed in an inter-district senior tournament in Bihar, Vaibhav earned selection in the BCCI’s Under-19 one-day Challenger tournament. It was here that fate introduced him to Laxman, a legend of Indian cricket and someone who would go on to play a pivotal role in Vaibhav's journey. Noticing the spark in the young batter, Laxman picked him for an U-19 quadrangular series against England and Bangladesh.

However, not all went smoothly. In one of the matches while representing India B, Vaibhav was dismissed for 36—run out and devastated. Sitting in the dressing room, tears streamed down his cheeks. That’s when Laxman walked up to him and delivered the words that would redefine his outlook:
“We don’t only see the runs here. We see people who have the skill for the long run.”

These were not mere words of consolation. They were a recognition of potential, a reassurance that true talent is about more than just scorecards. Laxman’s timely encouragement, paired with the BCCI’s support, became the fuel that helped Vaibhav believe in himself when it mattered most.

His coach, Manoj Ojha, reflecting on that moment, told The Hindu:
“Laxman saw his potential very quickly. The BCCI has backed him too.”

Today, as the cricketing world watches Vaibhav light up the IPL stage, it’s important to remember the silent influences—the mentors and institutions that made it possible. While the Rajasthan Royals gave him the platform, and Rahul Dravid continues to shape young minds, it was VVS Laxman’s quiet intervention and belief that planted the seed of confidence in a teary-eyed teen.

Sometimes, greatness begins not with glory—but with a hand on your shoulder and the right words at the right time.