Former India spinner L Sivaramakrishnan stated on Sunday that a gifted player like 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should play all year long without being rested since it would enable him learn from his mistakes and get priceless experience in all circumstances.
In Saturday’s second Twenty20 International in Manchester, Sooryavanshi, who is 15 years and 99 days old, became the youngest Indian to play for his country against England.
Being thrown in at the deep end of the pool is something that Sivaramakrishnan, who made his Test debut against the West Indies in 1983 at the age of 17, is familiar with.
“He should be given a fair amount of chances with white-ball cricket and see how he performs. He should continue. I mean, there’s no point in blooding a youngster and giving him a break or resting him. He doesn’t need rest. He can keep playing right throughout the year,” PTI quoted Shivramakrishnan as saying.
“Especially as a batter, he doesn’t need a bowler’s fitness. And batting for long periods of time will also give him that concentration, the mental work that he can do for long periods of time,” the former Tamil Nadu leg-spinner pointed out.
While Sooryavanshi hit 14 off 10 balls with two sixes in his maiden international game, Sivaramakrishnan encouraged Indian team management to not consider of resting him from now on.
“Once you decide to play him, you have got to give him ample opportunities. Remember, he is an investment for the next 20 years. I think what Vaibhav needs now is a lot of support from the coach (Gautam Gambhir) and the captain (Shreyas Iyer) and the rest of the players. Even if he does not do well in a few games, he should be backed. He should be continued.”
He believes that Sooryavanshi, a compulsive stroke player, will play the high-risk, high-reward game while also making a few blunders.
“I would like to see him guided and supported properly. He is the kind of stroke player, there might be a few risks that he takes. But the modern day cricket is all about risk taking. So, he should not be told to curb his natural instincts and how he approaches the game.”
Vaibhav was advised by Shivramakrishnan to begin considering the strategies bowlers might use against him.
“Well, he’s a wonderful stroke player. We all know that against fast bowling, we’ll have to wait and see how he tackles the spinners because in the very first over (in the 2nd T20 match against England in Manchester), it was a nothing delivery and he stepped out and looked to heave. He must also start thinking about what the bowler is going to do since he’s got so much exposure.”
When Sooryavanshi goes on the attack, Sivaramakrishnan does not want him to be restrained.
“You don’t need contributory 30s or 40s from him. He’s the kind of stroke player that we would not come across in a long time. Don’t hold him back. I’m very happy that somebody has played for India at the age of 15. And with T20 cricket being the most popular now, young players are starting to play a lot of shots and focus on T20. However, I’d like to see at what age he makes his Test debut. Because at the age of 15, 16, or 17, you’re kind of fearless,” he observed.
He believed that the extraordinary talent ought to play in the ODI format and might be considered a top order batsman for the World Cup next year.
“He sure should get a chance at the upcoming 50 overs World Cup if he does exceedingly well in the T20 format. He should get an opportunity because he’s going to be a match winner.
“When he scores runs, he’s going to be a match-winner in all formats of white-ball cricket,” he signed off, wishing Vaibhav a great future ahead.
