Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a “super talent” and the “best in the world in T20 cricket,” according to former India chief selector MSK Prasad, who said he should be given early consideration for the Ireland series later this month.
“He is not just a prodigy or a super talent. He is already among the best in the world in T20 cricket. He should be fast tracked immediately into the Indian side. He should be picked for the Ireland series which happens after the India A tri-series in Sri Lanka,” PTI quoted Prasad as saying.
“I think, it’s nicely poised for him to be drafted into the senior Indian team. I think he is going to flourish in the India A tri-series in Sri Lanka as well. See, there is no point holding him back. He is going to play for India soon and he is going to play for a long time,” the former India wicket-keeper batter predicted.
“Playing India A and then playing for India is usually the norm but playing high pressure IPL among the best in the world is the best way to get into the Indian side. I think the selectors are also thinking on the same line. It’s just a matter of time that he will play for India and will play for a long time,” he reiterated.
However, the former Indian cricketer cautioned him and suggested that he increase his level of fitness.
“It’s good to see that in a post-match interaction he said on Sunday that he needs to improve his fitness. He has been under the tutelage of NCA for quite some time now. See he is only 15. He should be carefully handled and looked after. He should be carefully monitored.
“I feel he should be under the tutelage of (VVS) Laxman or (Rahul) Dravid for some time. They are the guys who can keep him humble. At this stage it’s needed to shape his career in the right manner,” Prasad said.
The 15-year-old youngster is already among the finest at the top level, he emphasized, and he should be tested in other formats as well.
“Forget India, he is one of the best in the world. He is undoubtedly a big surprise package. Though he should play for India in T20Is, he should be monitored well for two years and then he can be on his own. He should slowly start from T20Is then to ODIs and other formats.
Of course, he has it in him to play the longer formats as he has shown he can take the best of the world and tear them apart. The best part is he has so much understanding of the game,” Prasad observed.
When asked about his batting position in a packed T20I Indian team, Prasad said: “Now the question is in which position you will play him. This is a headache that the selectors will have but it’s a good headache to have. That’s why the series against Ireland will be an ideal platform to know. The selectors should always keep him around the team now. Keep him in the picture all the time.”
