NEW DELHI: Excitement around 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s India debut continues to build ahead of the second and final T20I against Ireland.Fans were hoping to see the teenage batting sensation make his international debut in the series opener in Belfast. However, the youngster had to wait as India remained with an experienced batting line-up.The big question now is whether Sooryavanshi will get his chance in the second T20I on Sunday or whether fans will have to wait until the five-match T20I series against England, which begins on July 1.
India seems to be recovering
India enter the second T20I having suffered one of the biggest defeats in their T20 history.The reigning T20 World Cup champions were bowled out for 148 while chasing 183 as Ireland registered their first international win over India.It was also a disappointing start for Shreyas Iyerwho returned to T20Is after 963 days and captained India for the first time in the format.With the England series around the corner, Iyer will be eager to level the series before the team heads to England.
Iyer on the debut of Sooryavanshi
At the toss before the first T20I, Iyer confirmed that Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his opportunity.“He is a gun player, but we have a group of players who have been in tremendous form and w He is a gun player, but we have some tremendous players who have done well for us, so we support them. He will get his chance when the time comes,” Iyer said.
Kotak supports experienced players
A day before the first T20I, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also suggested that India were unlikely to give the teenager an immediate debut.“Vaibhav is very talented, there is no doubt. And the way he batted in IPL and all other games, needless to say he had a lot of natural ability. Because in IPL he faced Jofra, a lot of fast bowlers, a lot of experienced bowlers. And nothing seems to bother him. So he is obviously an extraordinary talent,” he said.Kotak also explained why the team management wanted to continue to support the players who have already done so.“That also won’t be fair. I think there’s a very fine line between trying to give someone an opportunity and you’re being unfair to another player,” Kotak said.“Tonight, the captain and the head coach will decide on the team. And if he plays a lot, if he doesn’t play even for me, it’s great because he is part of the Indian team. And I’m sure he has his duties and his opportunities. So I don’t think that just to give him the opportunity, we should leave someone who has already scored runs.”Whether Sooryavanshi makes his expected debut on Sunday remains to be seen, but Iyer and Kotak have made it clear that the teenager remains a key part of India’s plans and that his opportunity will come at the right time.
