Jai Moondra accepts Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Irish-Indian pacer Jay Mundra has joined the growing list of admirers of teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, insisting that the youngster’s age should not become a barrier to his international ambitions.Speaking during an interaction with broadcasters ahead of the second T20I in Belfast, Moondra was asked about the hype surrounding Sooryavanshi and whether the teenager’s exploits have attracted attention in Irish cricket circles. His left arm was emphatic in his response.
“They say age is just a number. He is playing for India and could soon be in an international cap. We have seen that he has great potential. Age ko chodhiye woh bohot bada dhamaka bhi kar shkta hai (Age should not be a factor as he is capable of producing something special).”
Everyone knows what he can do, and everyone wants to watch him play. “Now, let’s see if he gets the chance,” Mundra said.He watches:
The praise comes at a time when Sooryavanshi’s name is increasingly being discussed as India look to bounce back from their shock opening T20I defeat to Ireland.While India suffered a disappointing 34-run loss in Belfast on Friday, the match turned out to be a memorable occasion for Mundra himself.
The Tonk-born player, who made his international debut for Ireland, played a pivotal role in helping the home side register their first ever international win over India.The 29-year-old made an immediate impact, dismissing Sanju Samson with the first ball of his spell before returning to remove Shivam Dubey later in the innings. His impressive figures of 2/25 from four overs underscored Ireland’s disciplined bowling effort.With India facing a must-win in the second and final T20I, Sooryavanshi’s name has inevitably cropped up as a potential option if the management decides to change the batting order. And if Mundra’s assessment is anything to go by, the teenager’s talent is already garnering attention beyond India’s borders.