Historic debut on the cards for Sooryavanshi in Ireland
Former India and Ireland cricketer MV Narasimha Rao has described teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's potential debut for India in the upcoming T20I series against Ireland as a historic moment. The two-match series begins at Stormont ground in Belfast on June 26, and Rao says cricket fans across Europe are scrambling for tickets to witness the 15-year-old prodigy in action.
Rao, speaking to PTI from Strabane, Ireland, highlighted the overwhelming interest: 'I think they (local organisers) will have to put more seats because this stadium has only 7000 seats or something. Already, people from other parts of Europe like Paris etc want to come, hopefully, we can find a way to accommodate them.'
He added, 'So, I think it will be history, a momentous day if he makes his debut in Ireland. It was unexpected, and in the last 10 days, it’s really a big excitement here.'
Rao's assessment of Sooryavanshi's talent and challenges
Rao, who played four Tests for India and later represented Ireland in the mid-1990s before the country attained ICC full membership, believes Sooryavanshi could thrive on the slow Belfast pitches. 'He’s phenomenal, great to watch and I’d watched him on the television during the IPL. He may enjoy batting as the wickets here are generally slow and Ireland doesn’t have the same kind of fast bowlers, you know, with pace,' Rao observed.
However, Rao cautioned that the subsequent T20I series against England will present a much sterner test. 'Once he goes to England, it’ll be a big test for him because the ball moves there and weather too changes even in the short duration of a T20. But I wish him a good series.'
Drawing from his extensive coaching experience with Hyderabad and in Ireland, Rao compared Sooryavanshi's technique to that of the legendary Gary Sobers. 'He reminds me - from a few of the matches I watched of Gary Sobers - the high backswing and the bat, straight it comes, and he picks up the ball very quickly. He’s so versatile and can play every shot in the game at this young age.'
Advice for the young superstar
The 71-year-old Rao emphasized the importance of staying grounded amid the adulation. 'He has God-given talent. But my word is that - like Sachin Tendulkar - he should keep his head down and feet on the ground. He should maintain that discipline of fitness and practise hard and adapt to different wickets. It’ll be a big test for him because he is a superstar now.'
Rao is also looking forward to meeting India vice-captain Tilak Varma, whom he coached during his Under-16 days at Hyderabad. Rao, the first Indian Test cricketer to be awarded an MBE, will have the honour of ringing the Roy Torrens bell ahead of the second T20I on June 28. 'It’s a very big honour and emotional as well. The most important thing is that I played for both the countries (India and Ireland). I will cherish it for the rest of my life, because I coached, and put a lot into Irish cricket over the last three and half decades,' he said.
Rao's remarkable journey: From facing Ambrose to coaching Morgan
Reflecting on his early days in Ireland, Rao recalled a memorable match against Northamptonshire in the 1995 NatWest Bank Trophy. 'Basically, Ireland were short of players those days, and wanted me to play against Northamptonshire in 1995. I was a bit hesitant because I was not regularly practicing and all. But I knew the conditions as I had earlier played for Lancashire.'
Northamptonshire boasted a formidable attack including Curtly Ambrose, Allan Lamb, Kevin Curran, and Rob Bailey. 'Ambrose bowled like wind that day (12-5-17-2), and some of our batters said they did not even see the ball.' Despite the conditions, Rao scored an unbeaten 47. 'It was a bouncy wicket, and suited the Windies legend perfectly. He started with a bouncer towards my chest and I turned it to mid-wicket for a four. Soon, when I was running, Ambrose came near me and said: “you don’t look Irish.”'
Rao took two wickets but Northamptonshire won comfortably. They later signed Anil Kumble, and Rao transitioned into coaching. His stint in Ireland saw him mentor a generation of talented cricketers including Eoin Morgan, Kevin O’Brien, William Porterfield, and Andrew Balbirnie.
'It was nice to work with those talented cricketers, as I also had experience of coaching players like VVS Laxman and Mithali Raj at my academy, which was the first cricket academy in Hyderabad. Laxman came to me when he was around 12 with his uncle Baba Krishna Mohan, and I am very happy to see him developing into a very fine cricketer for India. He still keeps in touch,' Rao signed off.
