Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rise through the ranks of Indian cricket it’s been quick, and the 15-year-old is now on the brink of another milestone. India is expected to make his debut in the first T20I against Ireland in Belfast on Friday, which would make him India’s youngest international cricketer.If selected, Sooryavanshi will be 15 years and 91 days younger Sachin Tendulkar was when he made his international debut against Pakistan in 1989 at the age of 16 years and 205 days. The youngster’s expected debut comes after a strong IPL season with the Rajasthan Royalswhere he finished as the highest run scorer of the tournament with 776 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 237.30.Just days ago, while playing for India A against Sri Lanka A, Sooryavanshi broke the record for the fastest half-century in List A cricket, reaching the landmark in just 11 balls.As anticipation builds around his likely debut, the former Australia opener and Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer has joined the growing list of cricketing figures praising the teenager.“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is only the second selfie I’ve ever asked for! The other one was with an AFL champion I watched as a kid,” Langer told BBC Sport.“I said, ‘I’ve never done this before in the IPL, but do you mind if we take a selfie together?’ Because I’m in awe of your talent, I’m in awe of your mind, I’m in awe of the way you play cricket.”“What makes him so special? He has extraordinary hands. I always say the really great players, their hands are like a hose in a swimming pool,” added the former Australian batsman.“He almost does a figure eight in his hands in his backswing. You know, it’s small, it’s subtle, but they’re just so loose.”
Which aspect of Sooryavanshi’s batting style do you find most impressive?
3k+ users shared the opinion today
5k+ users have already voted today
3k+ users shared the opinion today
“A lot of left-handers, when they’re trying to hit sixes, they go from the sight screen round to the leg side, which is different with Sooryavanshi who settles in to hit the off side,” Langer said, adding: “First ball of his IPL career, he hit a six over. 20 rows back into the stand.”
