15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was once again left out of the opening T20I against England at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, extending his wait for his senior India debut.
Even though the Indian team management has maintained to support its World Cup-winning top order of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar feels that postponing the teenager’s debut will simply put more pressure on him when he does get the chance.
After a record-breaking IPL season, Sooryavanshi received his first call-up for India, however he was benched for both T20Is against Ireland. Gavaskar stated that the more time passes until the young player makes his India debut, the higher the expectations will be.
“It will put him (Sooryavanshi) under more pressure whenever he gets an opportunity,” Gavaskar said on Sony Sports. “But at 15 years of age, you don’t think too much about pressure. He knows that if he gets the opportunity in the second or third game, he will have to deliver almost immediately. That’s there.”
But according to the former captain of India, Sooryavanshi’s age might work to his advantage, as the teenager would be taking full advantage of the chance to learn from some of the top players in the country.
“But he is happy to be around. This Indian team is full of lovely, tremendous players, and it is just fantastic for him to be learning from them,” Gavaskar added.
Despite their unexpected T20I series loss in Ireland, India decided to stick with their tried-and-tested opening lineup. Sooryavanshi was left to wait for another chance as the team management once again showed faith in Samson, Abhishek, and Kishan.
However, the first Twenty20 International against England ended in frustration when rain forced the match to be called off before England could commence their run chase.
