NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan suggests that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s impressive performances might make it difficult for anyone, too Saint Samsonto claim his place in India’s T20I side. The young batsman continued his fine form with an innings of 81 in the third and final T20I against Zimbabwe on July 26, showing maturity and power in a challenging Harare pitch. He played some eye-catching shots, including a straight drive off a yorker from Brad Evans and a massive 102-metre six against Sikandar Raza. Praising the young man, Pathan wrote, “Jiski vhi jagah lega ye bachha use wapis nahi aane dega… How Special this Vaibhav Suryavanshi is?” (Whatever place this boy takes, he won’t let him back. How special is this Vaibhav Suryavanshi?)His comments added to the debate over whether Sooryavanshi has moved ahead of Samson in India’s T20 plans.
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Samson started as India’s first choice during the Ireland T20Is, but managed only low scores, leading to Sooryavanshi getting opportunities in the England series. Although the youngster failed to produce big shots consistently in that series and Samson returned for the fifth T20I, neither change helped India avoid a whitewash.
Battle of selection ahead
Samson was left out of the Zimbabwe T20I series, while Sooryavanshi grabbed his chance with another impressive innings. With India’s next T20 assignment being the Asian Games, the competition for the opening wicket between Samson and Sooryavanshi is expected to be a major talking point.At the same time, Abhishek SharmaThe top spot has also come under scrutiny after a poor run of scores. The opener managed just 2, 8, 1, 3, 16 and 10 in his last six T20I innings, raising fresh questions about India’s preferred opening combination.