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Sitting inside Palace on Ganges in Banaras, account manager Galib Ali and front office manager Vikas Yadav were discussing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s aggressive on-field behaviour. Both agreed that while his passion is admirable, he could have avoided the confrontation and physical push with opposition players.
What happened has now become a national talking point. Interestingly, while fans love the sixes he smashed during the IPL, very few seem to be defending this particular episode.
So what if the Sri Lankan players told him to “go home” after India’s defeat? Perhaps they reminded him that international cricket is different from the IPL. Maybe they suggested that he is still young and learning the demands of the highest level. Whatever was said, Sooryavanshi’s reaction reflected the rawness and emotion of youth.
Those close to the matter believe board officials may have spoken to him and advised him not to repeat such behaviour, especially as incidents of this nature can attract suspensions and disciplinary action.
Fortunately for Sooryavanshi, his remarkable IPL performances have earned him considerable goodwill. Those memorable knocks may well have spared him from facing even harsher criticism.
As IPL founder Lalit Modi, one of Sooryavanshi’s earliest and most vocal admirers, put it: “After all, he is still a kid.”
Although BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia took to X to stress the need to focus on improving the team’s performance rather than discussing the strongest possible punitive measures, Sooryavanshi is clearly shaping up to be the next Virat Kohli in terms of on-field aggression.
Remember when Kohli showed the middle finger to Australian fans early in his Test career? Did that incident change him? Did anyone seriously attempt to curb his aggression? For certain players, aggression is an integral part of their game. Take it away, and they may not be the same cricketers.
That said, there is a clear line between aggression and physical confrontation. Being competitive is one thing; getting physical is another. Physical altercations have no place in cricket, and that is precisely why the entire cricketing world is talking about Sooryavanshi today.
Even Aditya Verma, one of Bihar cricket’s most vocal and combative figures, was not too pleased with the “Ek Bihari, Sab Pe Bhari” narrative that emerged after the incident.
“If Sooryavanshi is scoring heavily, he is projected as a sanskari boy. But when he isn’t scoring, he shouldn’t be getting into scuffles with anyone,” Verma said, making a valid point.
The message was clear: talent and runs cannot be used as a shield for indiscipline. Standards of behaviour should remain the same, irrespective of a player’s performances.
