Debate over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s international debut
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the international debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, suggesting the young player might have been introduced to international cricket prematurely. Sooryavanshi, a left-handed batter, played in three T20Is against England, registering scores of 14, 13, and 15. He was subsequently dropped for the final match of the series in Southampton. Ashwin believes that overseas tours should primarily serve as a learning experience for young players, allowing them to adapt to foreign conditions and the demands of international cricket gradually, rather than expecting immediate high-impact performances.
Sooryavanshi was initially expected to make his debut in Ireland. However, the team management opted to continue with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, both members of the T20 World Cup-winning squad. Pressure for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion reportedly grew, and after three low scores from Samson, the management decided to give the young left-hander his opportunity.
Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s talent, stating, “I’m still telling you, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is an incredible player. If I were the selector, I would have also picked him. But let him take his time. This is called an internship, right?” He also questioned whether team selections were being influenced by social media pressure, referencing his own experiences where he missed out on an England tour despite being in good form, due to selectors prioritizing team combination.
Impact on player confidence and team strategy
The India team’s recent tour of the United Kingdom, which resulted in a 0-6 defeat, has prompted discussions about the handling of both Sooryavanshi and Samson. The tour saw India lose their number one ranking in T20Is and record their lowest T20I total in nearly two decades, while also conceding their highest-ever total in the format. Beyond the statistics, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on the confidence of these two batters.
Sooryavanshi arrived in the UK following a strong IPL season and a successful India A tour of Sri Lanka. Despite high expectations, he spent the first three matches on the bench before making his debut in Manchester. After playing three matches, he was sidelined again for the final T20I. Similarly, Samson, who was projected as India’s long-term wicketkeeper before the T20 World Cup, experienced inconsistent selection. He was dropped, then recalled, and eventually played a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup victory. During the UK tour, Samson struggled against a moving ball in Ireland, scoring 5 and 0, and managed only one run in the opening T20I against England before being dropped. He was recalled for the final match, scoring 27 from 14 balls in a chase of 258.
The team management’s messaging regarding “giving players a long rope” has been questioned, with recent events suggesting a shorter leash than advertised. For Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old, being dropped after just three innings raises concerns about the impact on a player widely considered a future talent for Indian cricket. The situation also affects Samson, a 30-year-old, whose place was taken by a teenager only to be restored for a match where the outcome was already decided.
The decision to introduce Sooryavanshi against England rather than Ireland, which could have offered a more gradual introduction to international cricket, has also been debated. The mixed messages from the team management, regarding whether Sooryavanshi was ready for international cricket or still required nurturing, have been highlighted. These T20Is may have limited long-term significance, but there is a history of players disappearing from the national team after poor bilateral series. Sooryavanshi is part of India’s squad for the upcoming T20I assignment against Zimbabwe.
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Source: hindustantimes.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
