‘Literally as old as my career’: Why Shami is impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Shami on Sooryavanshi & the New-Age Batter: "Don't Overcoach Them"

Namaste, cricket family! 🙏 Let me share something that truly resonated with me—like watching a young dancer find her rhythm on stage.

The legendary Mohammed Shami, who hasn't played for India since March 2025, recently spoke warmly about the maturity of today's young players. He was chatting with the media after helping East Zone lift the Duleep Trophy title against South Zone.

His standout observation was about teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Shami joked that the kid is "literically as old as my career" (he's 36). But beyond the youthful energy and inside jokes, Shami noticed how quickly the youngster absorbs the game.

His key insight? Youngsters today arrive already mature because of IPL exposure and high-pressure tournaments. "You don't need to overcoach them," Shami said. "But when the game gets tight and challenging, that's when you step in with tactical inputs and remind them to keep fighting." 🎯

A Milestone Day 🏆

The win was doubly special—Shami celebrated his 100th first-class game. He picked up two crucial wickets (Ravichandran Smaran & Sheikh Rasheed) as East Zone clinched the title on a first-innings lead.

"Achieving this in my 100th match, in a winning Duleep Trophy final, is special," he said, praising his teammates for pouring their "heart and soul" into the campaign under brutal heat conditions.

A Mindset All Will Learn From:

Shami's words on self-motivation are pure gold, especially for anyone far from home chasing a dream:

> "At this level, if you aren't self-motivated, your approach is wrong. No matter what stage you're playing at, your eyes must always be set on the next level."

Whether it's your first match or your 100th, he insists the effort stays the same. Play for the badge, wear that pride, and the hunger to fight grows naturally. 💪

What a lesson in grace and grind from a true pro. How do you stay motivated during long layoffs, teammates? Let's discuss! 🗣️

#MohammedShami #DuleepTrophy #CricketWisdom #EastZone

Source: Times of India