India’s young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been in the spotlight recently. His angry reaction after getting out in the U19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan has gone viral and sparked a lot of debate. However, making a big issue out of his reaction is unnecessary. Many cricketers play with aggression and have a “give it back” attitude. Suryavanshi is no different, and such passion is quite common in competitive cricket.
What really deserves attention is his batting temperament.
Suryavanshi’s dismissal in the final says a lot about his approach to the game. Chasing a huge target of 348 runs, he gave India a flying start. He smashed 19 runs in the very first over and continued to attack the bowlers with confidence. His intent was clear, and his stroke play was exciting to watch.
However, the situation of the match demanded more responsibility from him. India lost their captain Ayush Mhatre in the third over, followed by the in-form Aaron George within the next 10 balls. At that point, India needed stability more than aggression. A calm presence at the crease could have helped rebuild the innings and guide the chase.
Instead, Suryavanshi went for another big shot on the very next delivery and ended up edging the ball to the wicket-keeper. His innings ended quickly. He scored 26 runs off just 10 balls at an impressive strike rate of 260. While that strike rate looks excellent on paper, the actual impact was limited.
Yes, India needed a brisk start, and he provided that. But what the team needed more was someone to bat longer and take responsibility after the early wickets. Suryavanshi’s talent is clear, but learning when to attack and when to settle down will be key to his growth as a batter.
The “Selfless Approach” Is Becoming Outdated
In recent years, there has been a strong push toward the so-called “selfless” batting approach. Batters are encouraged to play fearless cricket, attack from ball one, and dominate the bowlers without worrying too much about personal milestones especially at the top. This ultra-aggressive style has worked for many players and teams, especially in limited-overs cricket.
However, the importance of the match situation must always be considered. A batter who is striking at over 100 in a One-Day match can add far more value if he stays at the crease longer. Quick runs are important, but time spent at the crease is equally crucial, especially in big games.
We have seen clear examples of this in the past. During the 2015 World Cup, Brendon McCullum played with an extremely aggressive mindset throughout the tournament. His approach brought great success to both him and New Zealand, as they dominated most teams. But in the final, his early dismissal hurt New Zealand badly and played a key role in their defeat.
A more recent example is Rohit Sharma in the 2023 World Cup final. His aggressive starts gave India strong momentum throughout the tournament, and there is no doubt his approach benefited the team. But in the final, had he stayed at the crease for a little longer, he could have added many more valuable runs and changed the course of the match.
This is not criticism of any player. Finals are different. The pressure is much higher, and the margin for error is very small. In such matches, every run counts. While attacking cricket is exciting and often effective, an overly aggressive mindset can backfire when it matters the most. Runs on the board win matches, not just intent or strike rate.
Entertainers Don’t Win You Matches
Vaibhav Suryavanshi has received a lot of praise for his fearless batting style, and rightly so. His attacking approach has brought him quick runs and early success. It shows confidence, talent, and a positive mindset. However, if he wants to enjoy a long career and represent India at the highest level, he needs to understand one simple truth of cricket– runs matter, and runs come only when you stay at the crease.
Exciting stroke play can entertain the crowd, but entertainers alone don’t win matches. Consistency and responsibility do. While Suryavanshi’s aggressive batting can thrill fans in the IPL or at the domestic level, international cricket demands more discipline and awareness.
Leaving balls outside the off stump, respecting good deliveries, and choosing the right moments to attack are essential skills. Building an innings is just as important as scoring quickly.
He has all the tools required. What he needs now is maturity. Learning when not to play a shot may be the key to unlocking his full potential and turning him into a player who doesn’t just entertain, but consistently wins matches.
