India, March 22 -- Watching Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bat is like playing a video game, says Kevin Pietersen. Virender Sehwag has hailed him as 'unstoppable' while Sachin Tendulkar praised his 80-ball 175 in the U19 World Cup final against England as a 'timeless blockbuster'. This high praise for Sooryavanshi isn't unexpected. Prithvi Shaw had earned it, Unmukt Chand too, and some more before them as well after shining in the junior World Cup. Few though have lived up to the promise.

There is a particular kind of promise that Indian cricket has learned to recognise early. It is loud, impatient, even a little reckless sometimes. It announces itself not through accumulation but through impact. That category seeks out characters like Sooryavansh...