When you start playing with men, opposition will find your weaknesses, says Maninder Singh on Sooryavanshi

Former India spinner Maninder Singh has cautioned young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi that international cricket brings a different level of scrutiny compared to age-group tournaments, with opponents working hard to identify and exploit technical gaps.

Sooryavanshi managed only 42 runs across three T20I matches against England last month, including a 14-run knock in his debut. The 15-year-old was dropped from the final game of that five-match series. He made his international debut on Friday, July 4, becoming India's youngest-ever cricketer, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record. Now, as he prepares for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe beginning Thursday, July 23, in Harare, experienced voices are offering him guidance on his early challenges.

"When you start playing with men after being with the U-19 players, and according to that level, he is a very, very good cricketer. But when you start playing with men, and the conditions were like that in England, where there was a little bounce, there must be some weaknesses that the international teams will catch," Maninder Singh said as quoted by News18 CricketNext.

Singh emphasized that modern cricket involves far more rigorous preparation and video analysis from opposition camps than what age-group cricket demands. International sides now conduct detailed technical study to pinpoint and target specific vulnerabilities in young players' games, particularly when they enter the senior setup with limited experience.

"It's because in today's time, so many videos are watched and attempts are made to find weaknesses. So, that will continue, and now that you have started playing international cricket, people will also wonder how this 15-year-old will make runs. So, you will get to see a little extra effort by the bowlers to outsmart him," Singh added.

The advantage with him is that his coach follows him regularly: Maninder Singh

Despite these cautions, the 61-year-old cricketer-turned-expert expressed confidence in Sooryavanshi's potential to bounce back from early setbacks.

"He is a very talented kid and he will find his own way to adapt himself in such conditions. I think he will start working towards that also. The advantage with him is that his coach follows him regularly. His father moves with him. So, his weaknesses will also be found, and they will start working on them," Singh noted.

The left-hander had a standout IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals, accumulating 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30 and claiming the Orange Cap. He returns to Zimbabwe with a chance to rebuild his confidence at the venue where he smashed an unbeaten 175 from 80 deliveries to propel India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup final in February. Sanju Samson has been rested, handing Sooryavanshi another opportunity to establish himself as the format's opening batter ahead of the Asian Games in September.