Sivaramakrishnan Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for Continuous Play
Former India spinner L Sivaramakrishnan has urged the Indian cricket team management to let 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play throughout the year without rest, calling him an investment for the next 20 years. Sooryavanshi became the youngest Indian to make an international debut at 15 years and 99 days during the second T20 International against England in Manchester on Saturday. He scored 14 off 10 balls, including two sixes.
No Rest for Young Talent
Sivaramakrishnan, who made his Test debut at 17 against West Indies in 1983, said in an interview with PTI: “He should be given a fair amount of chances with white ball cricket and see how he performs. He should continue. There’s no point in blooding a youngster and giving him a break or resting him. He doesn’t need rest. He can keep playing right throughout the year.”
He added: “Especially as a batter, he doesn’t need a bowler’s fitness. And batting for long periods of time will also give him that concentration, the mental work that he can do for long periods of time.”
Support and Guidance Needed
Sivaramakrishnan emphasized that Sooryavanshi should receive ample opportunities and backing from coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer. “Once you decide to play him, you have got to give him ample opportunities. Remember, he is an investment for the next 20 years. I think what Vaibhav needs now is a lot of support from the coach and the captain and the rest of the players. Even if he does not do well in a few games, he should be backed. He should be continued.”
Risk-Taking and Natural Instincts
The former spinner noted that Sooryavanshi is a compulsive stroke player who will take risks and make mistakes. “I would like to see him guided and supported properly. He is the kind of stroke player, there might be a few risks that he takes. But the modern day cricket is all about risk taking. So, he should not be told to curb his natural instincts and how he approaches the game.”
Sivaramakrishnan advised Sooryavanshi to think about bowlers' plans against him. “Well, he’s a wonderful stroke player. We all know that against fast bowling, we’ll have to wait and see how he tackles the spinners because in the very first over, it was a nothing delivery and he stepped out and looked to heave. He must also start thinking about what the bowler is going to do since he’s got so much exposure.”
Future Prospects: ODI World Cup and Test Debut
Sivaramakrishnan expressed hope that Sooryavanshi would play in the ODI format and potentially feature in the next year’s World Cup. “He sure should get a chance at the upcoming 50 overs World Cup if he does exceedingly well in the T20 format. He should get an opportunity because he’s going to be a match winner. When he scores runs, he’s going to be a match-winner in all formats of white-ball cricket.”
He also looked forward to Sooryavanshi's Test debut: “I’d like to see at what age he makes his Test debut. Because at the age of 15, 16, or 17, you’re kind of fearless.”
