Gill’s Lukewarm Praise for 14-Year-Old Suryavanshi’s Century Sparks Debate; Jadeja Calls for More Respect
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill found himself at the centre of a storm, not just from the Rajasthan Royals’ emphatic run chase, but also for his post-match remarks about 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The young prodigy stunned fans and experts alike by smashing a remarkable century, powering RR to a 210-run target with over four overs to spare.
Despite the magnitude of the achievement, Gill offered only a brief acknowledgement of the teen’s performance. “It was his (lucky) day. His hitting was just tremendous, and he made full use of his day,” Gill said during the post-match presentation, stopping short of offering deeper praise.
However, former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja took exception to Gill’s words, interpreting the “lucky day” comment as downplaying the teenager’s accomplishment. “A 14-year-old believing in himself to this level is extraordinary. To brush it off as luck isn’t fair,” Jadeja remarked in a segment on JioStar, before the broadcast cut to the presentation ceremony.
Jadeja later elaborated on the magnitude of Suryavanshi’s feat, highlighting the rarity of such a performance by someone so young, especially against seasoned IPL bowlers. “At 14, most of us were dreaming of playing gully cricket. This boy just lived the ultimate dream on the biggest stage,” he said.
He also credited the Indian coaching staff, particularly Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour, for fostering a fearless mindset. “It’s not just the shots, it’s the mindset that blows me away. That freedom, that belief—it’s something special.”
The incident has sparked a broader discussion on how emerging talent should be acknowledged, especially when they defy age and expectations.