Suryansh Shedge's unexpected India call-up for the white-ball tour of Ireland and England is a "lucky break," but the Mumbai all-rounder can turn it into a memorable learning experience by being observant in a dressing room featuring young captains Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, according to his mentor and former national selector Jatin Paranjape.
Paranjape Highlights Iyer's Empathy
Paranjape, a former India player who has guided the 23-year-old Shedge over the last one-and-a-half years, said Iyer's T20 leadership could be particularly reassuring for Shedge as the two have built a strong rapport during their time together at Mumbai and Punjab Kings.
"Yeah, I think not only Shreyas but also (ODI captain) Shubman. Because both of them are young captains. And both of them are captains with a lot of empathy," Paranjape told PTI after Shedge's maiden India call-up, which came following the injury-forced withdrawal of Nitish Kumar Reddy.
"And they will understand the pressure Suryansh will be feeling, the nervousness that he will be feeling. Shreyas definitely, because they know each other, Suryansh has played under him. So, there will be a lot of comfort."
Gill's Guidance in ODIs
With both Hardik Pandya and Reddy out of the UK tour, Paranjape believes Gill can guide Shedge in the ODI leg as well. "Mainly because he is young and he will be able to relate to what’s going on inside that debutant’s mind, basically."
The tour begins with two T20Is against Ireland from June 26. Paranjape's advice to Shedge is simple: absorb as much knowledge as possible. "If you are able to be a sponge... And my advice to him is to be a sponge around all the champions in that dressing room. So, I think if he is able to adapt to that atmosphere, I think England is a great location."
Embrace Opportunity with Humility
Paranjape said the opportunity has come through hard work and should be embraced with humility. "This has come as a lucky break. He accepts it with all humility and he will try to do his best for the team. That’s the message. Always be a team-man. Think like a captain and try to win games for your team."
Paranjape first met Shedge through a mutual friend and immediately recognised a profile that Indian cricket desperately needs. "I have been involved with him for probably the last year and a half. And he is a very, very talented cricketer and he has shown glimpses of that talent in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. But what really enthuses me is that here is an all-rounder and we are looking for all-rounders. We are looking for fast bowling all-rounders, batsmen who can bowl medium pace. We are looking for spin all-rounders as well."
Technical Improvements and Bowling Focus
According to Paranjape, Shedge's progress accelerated once he addressed technical glitches that many young cricketers encounter. "So, I knew about him. But when we met, there were a few things which were kind of impeding his progress. And these are very natural roadblocks that top-flight cricketers face on their journey. And at the end of the day, I think it was just about him knowing that I am here for him. I genuinely believed in him as a cricketer from an ability, from a skill perspective."
The former national selector said one reason he was convinced about Shedge's future was his belief that the youngster could eventually become a genuine all-format cricketer. A significant part of Shedge's development has involved improving his bowling. Paranjape revealed that former national selector and noted bowling coach Subroto Banerjee has been working closely on the technical aspects of Shedge's bowling.
Paranjape believes that while Shedge's batting is currently better than his bowling, the gap is narrowing rapidly. "But Subroto Banerjee and I are working on his bowling as well. There are a couple of technical things which Subbu (Banerjee's nickname) is working on. And once those settle in over the next few months, I think he is a guy who will be then able to select himself as a batter or as a bowler. I think he will be genuinely an all-rounder."
