NEW DELHI: The excitement around 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s India debut continues to grow 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 stuck with an experienced batting line-up.The big question now is whether Sooryavanshi will get his chance in Sunday’s second T20I or if fans will have to wait until the five-match T20I series against England, beginning on July 1.
India look to bounce back
India head into the second T20I after suffering one of the biggest upsets in their T20 history.The reigning T20 World Cup champions were bowled out for 148 while chasing 183, as Ireland registered their first-ever international victory over India.It was also a disappointing start for Shreyas Iyer, who 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 Sooryavanshi’s debut
At the toss before the first T20I, Iyer confirmed that Sooryavanshi would 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’s a gun player but we have some tremendous players who have done well for us so we are backing them. He will get his chance when the time comes,” Iyer said.
Kotak backs experienced players
A day before the first T20I, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also hinted that India were unlikely to hand the teenager a debut straight away.“Vaibhav is very talented, there is no doubt. And the way he has batted in IPL and all the other games, there is no need to tell that he has got a lot of natural abilities. Because in IPL he has faced Jofra, a lot of quick bowlers, a lot of experienced bowlers. And it seems that nothing is bothering him. So he is obviously an extraordinary talent,” he said.Kotak also explained why the team management wanted to continue backing players who have already performed.“That also won’t be right. I think there is a very thin line between trying to give somebody an opportunity and you are being unfair to some other player,” said Kotak.“Today evening, captain and head coach will decide about the team. And if he plays great, if he doesn’t play also for me, that is great because he is part of Indian team. And I am sure that he will get his dues and his opportunities. So I don’t think that just to give him an opportunity, we should drop someone who has already been scoring runs.”Whether Sooryavanshi makes his long-awaited debut on Sunday remains to be seen, but both 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.
