Former Indian spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan urged the management to give young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi an extended run in the ongoing T20I series against England and beyond. The youngster made history, becoming the youngest Indian cricketer to play for the country in an international game in the second T20I against England in Manchester on July 4.
However, Suryavanshi broke through to the Indian T20I squad on the back of his stunning performances in the IPL and the Under-19 World Cup earlier in the year. And Sivaramakrishnan called on the Indian management not to play Suryavanshi on and off.
He said (via Sportstar): “He (Suryavanshi) should be given a fair amount of chances with white ball cricket and see how he performs. 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. 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.”
“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 Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer and the rest of the players. Even if he does not do well in a few games, he should be backed,” he further added.
“He sure should get a chance at the upcoming 50 overs World Cup if he does exceedingly well in the T20 format” – Laxman Sivaramakrishnan
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan also believes Vaibhav Suryavanshi should be added to the Indian 2027 ODI World Cup squad if he impresses in the upcoming T20I games. The youngster also boasts a great List-A record with an average of 43.38 and a strike rate of 176.80 in 13 outings.
“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,” concluded Sivaramakrishnan. “I’m very happy that somebody has played for India at the age of 15. 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.”
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