New Delhi: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting has stolen everyone’s hearts and attention, but it seems the 15-year-old prodigy is also something of a medical marvel.
IIM Indore announced on 3 June that it will soon conduct a study to understand the development of young talents and their long-term success. Director Himanshu Rai cited the all-rounder as an example.
Rai told ThePrint that the study is set to begin in two weeks and will be completed in three months. The director will lead the team, and faculty members from relevant disciplines, including leadership, behavioural sciences, psychology and management, will also be a part of the team.
He added that Sooryavanshi was cited as an example during a discussion on child prodigies.
“Someone remarked that one hopes such young achievers do not experience burnout under the weight of expectations. That observation led me to think about a broader study, and not just on what drives exceptional early success, but also on the challenges that follow it and the institutional, familial, and psychological support systems that can help young talents realise their full potential sustainably,” Rai said.
He added that the study will not only examine the antecedents of exceptional achievement but also the psychological, social, and developmental challenges that young high-performers encounter, and the mechanisms that can help them realise their full potential sustainably.
The Sooryavanshi effect
Rai, in a video, said that incorporating contemporary examples into the teaching process at IIM Indore is essential and necessary. He added that Sooryavanshi’s story is not just a story of cricket, but also “a valuable study of human potential, talent, development, discipline, mental toughness, and long-term excellence.”
In another interview with NDTV, Rai said that the study will “go beyond sixes and trophies.”
The director went on to say that Sooryavanshi’s story is one example in a long list of child prodigies who experience fame, financial stress, public expectations, as well as social pressure, all of which can affect one’s mental health. He said that there were numerous examples across history of wonder kids experiencing burnout in later years due to the “overwhelming pressure of expectations and mental fatigue.”
And so, Rai announced that the institute will conduct a comprehensive multidisciplinary study on talent preservation, mental health, emotional balance, and long-term development.
The study will analyse the social, psychological, familial, and institutional factors that play a decisive role in developing talent that excels at a young age.
Rai added that experts in sports management, leadership, behavioural science, and human capacity development will work together to understand how early success, young people, and young adults are linked to success.
He told PTI that the study aims to understand the factors driving the extraordinary performance of child prodigies.
Also Read: Sorry, Chris Gayle—Lalit Modi predicts Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will become the next No. 1 cricketer
‘A generational talent’
Sooryavanshi is a left-handed batsman who rose to fame after becoming the youngest-ever debutant in the Indian Premier League at just 13 years old.
He played in the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals, who signed him for Rs 1.1 crore, outbidding the Delhi Capitals at the auction table.
The child star, according to former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan, is a younger version of Sachin Tendulkar. Wassan told PTI that he sees shades of Tendulkar’s maturity, audacity and fearlessness in the teenager.
“He is a one in a million generational talent,” he said.
Wassan stressed that Sooryavanshi’s future career would depend on proper guidance, and if he is encouraged to go beyond T20 and become a “proper cricketer.”