Shielding Vaibhav: Authorities Aim to Protect 14-Year-Old Cricket Prodigy from Early Burnout
New Delhi, April 29 – In a move to safeguard the future of India’s latest cricketing sensation, 14-year-old Vaibhav, efforts are underway by cricket authorities to create a protective framework that shields him from the pressures of sudden fame and the harsh demands of elite-level sport.

Vaibhav, who has recently burst onto the domestic scene with remarkable performances well beyond his years, is already drawing comparisons with former teen prodigies like Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Sadanand Viswanath—names that evoke both brilliance and caution in Indian cricketing circles.

A vivid reminder of the pitfalls that come with early success is the story of Sadanand Viswanath, who at 22 was already a household name after a famous stumping of Pakistan’s Javed Miandad in 1985. Alongside the immensely talented 18-year-old spinner Sivaramakrishnan, Viswanath was part of a generation that promised much but faded too soon—due in part to a lack of institutional support and personal turmoil.

Now, cricketing authorities and support staff are determined not to repeat the same mistakes. Sources indicate that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in coordination with state associations and performance specialists, is looking to provide Vaibhav with structured guidance, mentoring, psychological support, and controlled exposure to senior-level cricket.

“Talent is not the problem in India. The challenge is managing it,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity. “We want Vaibhav to have a long, fulfilling career—not just a bright start.”

The plan reportedly includes restricting his media exposure, balancing his education, and surrounding him with a nurturing support team of coaches and mentors who can help him cope with the spotlight.

With cricket fans across the country already hailing him as a future star, the focus now is on ensuring Vaibhav doesn’t follow the unfortunate trajectory of past prodigies whose careers were derailed too early.

The message from the cricket establishment is clear: India doesn’t just want the next sensation—it wants a success story that lasts.