Stand-in India coach VVS Laxman believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi must continue to work on his fitness if he wants to elevate his game even further in the future.
Sooryavanshi displayed his immense talent with a superb innings of 81 from just 49 deliveries during India's 35-run victory over Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday and in the process earned himself a first Player of the Series award for his 151 runs across the three matches.
His efforts with the bat in Zimbabwe come on the back of a standout performance for India at the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup at the start of the year, showcasing the full capabilities the 15-year-old has at his disposal with hints of what the future may hold for the hard-hitting left-hander.
And while the cricketing world has already been in awe of Sooryavanshi's effort with the bat thus far, Laxman has pinpointed one area the teenager must work on if he wants to continue his journey on an upward trend.
"The one area we want him to improve is his overall fitness," Laxman said.
"He's a very young boy. He himself wants to get better in every aspect of the game. Even today, when he got injured (while attempting a diving catch running in from deep square leg), he still wanted to stay on the field.
Image
The one area we want him to improve is his overall fitness. He's a very young boy. He himself wants to get better in every aspect of the game. Even today, when he got injured (while attempting a diving catch running in from deep square leg), he still wanted to stay on the field. It was our physio who asked him to come off. That's the eagerness and earnestness he has to contribute in every possible way to the team.
Stand-in India coach VVS Laxman
"It was our physio who asked him to come off. That's the eagerness and earnestness he has to contribute in every possible way to the team."
Laxman has already played a major role in Sooryavanshi's development, with the India great overseeing the winning Under-19 World Cup side at the start of the year in his role as Head of Cricket with the BCCI when the teenager amassed 439 runs to be adjudged Player of the Tournament.
It was just another step in Sooryavanshi's rise to the top, which has also included dominant efforts in the Indian Premier League for the Rajasthan Royals across the last two years.
While Sooryavanshi's first senior series for India didn't go exactly to plan - he managed scores of 14,13 and 15 as England dominated India on home soil - Laxman believes his current career path is on track with expectations.
"It (his career) has been on expected lines," Laxman said.
"Even last year, when he played for Rajasthan Royals for the first time, the way he handled pressure was impressive. I believe any IPL match is equivalent to an international match. At 14 or 15, when you're playing in the IPL, either you can be overawed by the occasion or embrace the pressure. I think he chose the second option.
"So I'm not surprised by the way this series has gone. He was disappointed not to get a hundred, but we told him it's not going to be the first or the last opportunity he'll get. He's got a long career ahead, and he has the attitude and mindset to improve every day. I'm sure he will progress and break all the records at the international level. He's got all the potential and ability to do that."
For Sooryavanshi the journey so far has been much like a dream, with the well-spoken youngster taking everything in his stride ahead of what looks like a long and fruitful international career.
"Yes, it's truly a dream come true moment. Getting my first Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards, I'm very happy,” Sooryavanshi said.
"It felt really good. Our preparation was very good during the two or three days after we arrived in Harare. I also played the Under-19 World Cup here, so I really enjoy playing at this venue. Everyone backed me - the captain, the coaches, everyone - so I'm very happy."