Rahul Dravid Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Says ‘We Need Players Like Him’ Across All Formats

August 22, 2026

New Delhi: Former India captain Rahul Dravid has backed young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to develop into an all-format cricketer, while stressing the need to give the 15-year-old enough time and exposure to red-ball cricket.

Sooryavanshi, who has already made an impact in white-ball cricket, is set to represent East Zone in the Duleep Trophy as he looks to gain valuable experience in the longer format.

Dravid, who coached Sooryavanshi at Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2025, said the youngster’s development needs to be managed carefully by maintaining a balance between white-ball opportunities and domestic red-ball cricket.

Dravid Stresses Importance Of Red-Ball Cricket

“I think you always have to find that balance. And I think it’s a great thing that Vaibhav is getting the experience of playing some white-ball cricket through the IPL in India, but he’s also having the time to go back and play red-ball cricket in the Indian domestic system and grow his red-ball career,” Dravid told Cricinfo at an event in Dublin to unveil the European T20 Premier League (ETPL).

“All of us also want to see Test cricket survive, all of us want to see Test cricket grow, and we need players like him to be able to hopefully play all formats of the game,” he added.

Sooryavanshi has played only eight first-class matches, averaging 17.25, and Dravid believes regular exposure to the format will be important for the teenager’s development.

‘He’s Only 15, We Have To Be Patient’

Dravid said Sooryavanshi needs time and experience to develop his red-ball skills.

“The good thing is he’s going to take some time, he’s going to need some experience, he’s going to get an opportunity to play a lot of red-ball cricket. He’s not played as much red-ball cricket as probably white-ball cricket,” he said.

“He’s only 15, and I think you’ve got to just give him some time and you’ve got to be patient with him. He’s obviously been such a success straightaway, but he’s going to go through his ups and downs, and I think people are going to have to be patient with him,” Dravid added.

The Duleep Trophy could give Sooryavanshi at least two consecutive first-class matches, with a third possible if East Zone reach the final. He could also get further red-ball exposure when India A host Australia A in two unofficial Tests in September.

Dravid Praises Sooryavanshi’s Domestic Focus

Dravid also backed Sooryavanshi’s decision to continue playing domestic red-ball cricket rather than pursuing T20 opportunities around the world.

“I think he’s going to have some success, but he also might have periods where it probably doesn’t work out well for him. But let’s all remember he’s only 15 and he has a long way to go,” he said.

Dravid said Sooryavanshi’s continued involvement in Indian domestic red-ball cricket would help him strengthen his skills in the longer format.

“So Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, by not playing in T20 competitions all over the world, is actually playing in the red-ball Indian domestic competition. He’s growing, he’s getting better at red-ball skills,” he said.

Dravid Hopes Sooryavanshi Can Play Tests For India

Dravid expressed hope that Sooryavanshi can eventually make the transition to the highest level of red-ball cricket and become an all-format player for India.

“Hopefully, someday if he does well and performs well as he has in white-ball cricket, he might become a red-ball player for India. And how exciting that would be for the world game as well,” he said.