Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer has urged the selectors to include 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in India's ODI squad ahead of the 2027 World Cup. He stated that Sooryavanshi should open the batting with former India captain Rohit Sharma, while Shubman Gill should move down to No. 4.
Engineer made the remarks after the Shreyas Iyer-led side's 3-0 T20I series win over Zimbabwe. Vaibhav finished as the leading run-scorer with 151 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 196.10, including a 19-ball fifty and a match-winning 81 off 49 balls. The southpaw also won the Player of the Series award.
Farokh Engineer suggested a new-look ODI batting order ahead of the 2027 World Cup. He said that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should open alongside former India captain Rohit Sharma to give the team a better left-right combination at the top.
“The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four,” Engineer told PTI.
“Gill is not a guy who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit is playing, and I think he should be playing, let him open with Sooryavanshi. A batsman like him is much better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can come third. Gill can come fourth and then we've got a solid batting line-up,” he added.
Sooryavanshi has not yet made his ODI debut. The youngster has scored 564 runs in 13 List A matches at an average of 43.38 and an outstanding strike rate of 176.80.
This Is Probably the Right Time to Draft Vaibhav Sooryavanshi - Farokh Engineer
Farokh Engineer believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready for ODI cricket after his impressive start to international cricket. The former wicketkeeper said that the teenager has already shown the confidence and attacking ability needed to succeed in the 50-over format.
“This is probably the right time to draft Sooryavanshi into India's ODI side. I don't know why people distinguish so much between ODI and T20 because for me, a half-volley is a half-volley. He's been getting runs and he's got the confidence to open the innings.”
“He'll win more matches for you than lose you. When he gives a start like that, the other players can have time to consolidate the innings and put on a big score.”
He'll Be a Tremendous Asset for India - Farokh Engineer Compares Vaibhav to Viv Richards
Engineer also advised India's coaches not to overcomplicate the youngster's game. He compared Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fearless batting to West Indies legend Viv Richards and urged the team management to let him play his natural game.
“Anything which is slightly short of length, in Sooryavanshi's arc, is going to go for a six. He has learned from his mistakes and learned to control himself. But don't try to over-coach him. He's a genius. Nor was Viv Richards. Viv was the best batsman I've ever seen play. Persevere with Sooryavanshi. He'll be a tremendous asset for India,” he said.
He hit joint slowest T20 fifty of his career. The 15-year-old won both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards. At 15 years and 121 days, he became the youngest male cricketer to win a Player of the Series award in international cricket.
Sooryavanshi also became the youngest Indian to win a Player of the Match award in international cricket. He broke Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record. Tendulkar won his first Player of the Match award at the age of 17 years and 112 days.
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