NEW DELHI: India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi revealed how a timely conversation with his coach helped him overcome a difficult phase and return to his destructive best in the Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla.The 15-year-old smashed a breathtaking 94 off just 29 balls, including the fastest List A half-century in history off only 11 deliveries, as India A thrashed Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to lift the title.But the record-breaking knock came after a lean run in the tournament and mounting scrutiny over his form and temperament following an on-field altercation during India A’s previous meeting with Sri Lanka A.“When runs were not coming, I sat down with Hrishi [Hrishikesh Kanitkar] sir to discuss a few things and he gave me a free hand to play freely,” Sooryavanshi told Sportstar after the final.“These conditions were slightly different, so it threw some challenges initially. So, I was trying too hard, but wasn’t able to execute the plans. That’s when he told me, ‘tu apna natural game khel, zyada soch mat’ (you play your natural game and don’t think too much about anything else). That motivated me and I continued to back myself and I’m happy that things worked out well,” the teenager said.
‘There was no pressure on me’
Coming into the summit clash, Sooryavanshi had managed only 117 runs in four innings and had struggled to convert starts on the slower surfaces in Sri Lanka.However, the left-hander insisted that pressure never entered his mind despite the criticism surrounding him.“There was no pressure on me,” Sooryavanshi said. “When I walked out to bat, the idea was to execute what I had planned for in the first ten overs and then take it forward. It worked…”His astonishing assault effectively settled the contest inside the first ten overs. India A raced to 132 in just nine overs before eventually posting 377/9. Sri Lanka A were then bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs.
Sri Lanka captain hails Sooryavanshi
Sri Lanka A skipper Sahan Arachchige admitted that Sooryavanshi’s blitz put his side on the back foot immediately.“Sooryavanshi played a brilliant innings. We managed the innings nicely thereon but let it slide in the last two overs,” Arachchige said.“When we are chasing a big score, top order can fall cheaply. It happens. Young guys have played well, seniors have scored too. It’s been a good tournament,” he added.With an India T20 debut awaiting later this month, Sooryavanshi’s latest masterclass served as another reminder that even during difficult periods, trusting his natural instincts remains his greatest strength.
