Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry photo)
New Delhi: Excitement around 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s debut for India continues to grow ahead of the second and final T20I against Ireland.Fans were hoping to see the teenage batting sensation make his international debut in the series opener in Belfast.
However, the youngster had to wait while India stuck to their experienced batting line-up.
The big question now is whether Sooryavanshi will get his chance in the second T20I on Sunday or if fans will have to wait until the five-match T20I series against England, starting July 1.
India looks to bounce back
India are heading into the second T20I after suffering one of the biggest upsets in T20 history.The T20 World Cup champions were bowled out for 148 runs while chasing 183, as Ireland registered their first ever international win over India.It was also a disappointing start for Shreyas Iyer, who returned to T20Is after 963 days and captained India for the first time in the format.With the England Championship looming, Ayr will be keen to tie the series before the team heads to England.
Iyer in Sooryavanshi’s debut
In the draw ahead of the first T20I, Iyer maintained that Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his chance.“He is an armed player but we have a group of players who have been in great form and he is an armed player but we have some great players who have done well for us so we are backing them.”
“He will get his chance when the time comes,” Iyer said.
Kotak supports experienced players
A day before the first T20I, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also hinted that India are unlikely to give the teenager a debut immediately.“Vaibhav is very talented, there is no doubt. The way he batted in the IPL and all the other games, there is no need to say that he has a lot of natural ability. Because in the IPL he faced Jofra, a lot of fast bowlers, a lot of experienced bowlers.
Nothing seems to bother him. “So he’s clearly an extraordinary talent,” he said.Kotak also explained why the team management wanted to continue supporting players who have already performed.“That wouldn’t be right either. I think there’s a very fine line between trying to give someone a chance and being unfair to another player,” Kotak said.“Today evening, the captain and coach will decide on the team. And if he plays great, if he doesn’t play for me as well, then it’s great because he is part of the Indian team. I am sure he will get his dues and opportunities. So I don’t think that just to give him a chance, we should leave out someone who was already scoring,” he said.It remains to be seen whether Sooryavanshi will make his long-awaited debut on Sunday, but both Iyer and Kotak have made it clear that the teenager remains a key part of India’s plans and that his opportunity will come at the right time.