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The legendary cricketer shared his perspective during a recent Reddit Q&A session, emphasizing the importance of patience in a young player's development. Tendulkar suggested that the focus for Sooryavanshi should remain on accumulating experience in the longer format of the game rather than shouldering administrative or leadership responsibilities at such an early stage of his career.
Focusing on red-ball development
Before his appointment as deputy to East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan, Sooryavanshi had participated in only eight red-ball matches for Bihar. The selection drew attention because it saw the teenager preferred over Abhimanyu Easwaran, a seasoned player with over 100 First-Class appearances to his name. Addressing a fan's query on the matter, Tendulkar stated that it was too early for the youngster to step into a vice-captaincy role, adding that he should be encouraged to take his progression one step at a time.
The East Zone selection committee previously noted that the appointment was intended to support the player's development rather than signal a change in the squad's hierarchy. During the tournament, Sooryavanshi did gain brief experience in a leadership capacity when he was required to step in for an injured Kishan, even participating in critical on-field decisions such as DRS reviews. Currently, the teenager is also navigating competition for a top-order spot in India's T20I setup, vying for position against established players like Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan.
Reflections on leadership and the evolution of Indian cricket
Beyond his comments on the rising star, Tendulkar reflected on his own tenure as India’s captain, describing the role as a significant honour while acknowledging the limitations he faced regarding team selection. He contrasted the professional structure of the modern BCCI with the challenges present during his playing days, which spanned from his 1989 debut to his retirement in 2013.
When asked to identify his preferred leaders from the history of Indian cricket, the former captain highlighted the contributions of Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni. Tendulkar placed both men at the top of his list, acknowledging the distinct impact each had on the national team during their respective tenures.
