.jpg "The Scoop with Blondey McCoy: On Starting Early, a New Collab, and Building an Institution.")
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the potential to revive interest in Test cricket, provided he successfully makes the transition from T20s to the longest format.
Fresh from a breakthrough IPL season, the 15-year-old has earned his maiden call-up to India’s T20I squad for the upcoming tour of Ireland and England. India will play two matches against Ireland before taking on England in a five-match series beginning in Belfast on June 26.
Srikkanth said Sooryavanshi possesses a rare ability to attract audiences and should be allowed to develop naturally without being weighed down by expectations or excessive scrutiny.
“What I like about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is he has an appetite to score runs and an appetite to dominate. At the same time, he could stay there and play also,” Srikkanth told PTI.
“If he progresses beyond T20 cricket to one-day cricket, and then to Test cricket, and if he clicks in Test cricket, which he will, I am sure then you will see a revival of Test cricket.
“You need that kind of cricketer today. People switch on the TV just to watch Sooryavanshi. I switch on the TV to watch Sooryavanshi. That is the aura he has created around himself. And he is something amazing.”
Srikkanth’s remarks come after Sooryavanshi’s modest returns on the recent India A tour of Sri Lanka, where the youngster came under scrutiny after failing to replicate his IPL form.
The former India opener, however, urged observers not to judge the teenager based on a single series and advised Sooryavanshi to remain true to his natural game.
“Vaibhav, don’t worry about what people talk about you, just play your natural game,” Srikkanth said.
“In one series, you don’t judge a person. Come on. That happens. Poor boy. It doesn’t matter. You just give him time. Don’t be in a hurry.
“In the IPL, he was just amazing. In his second year in the IPL, he won all the awards beating all the top cricketers in the world.”
Calling Sooryavanshi one of India’s brightest prospects, Srikkanth said the teenager should be given time and patience to fulfil his immense potential.
“That boy needs a lot of time. You give him lot of encouragement. He is a guy who can win matches single-handed. So, I believe that he should be given a very, very, very long rope.
“And I don’t think you should mess up with him. Let’s mould him beautifully. If you give him ample chances and if you mould him well, he will be simply outstanding for Indian cricket.”
Srikkanth also welcomed Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the senior T20I setup, saying the youngster would benefit from being around the national team even if he does not immediately break into the playing XI.
“For the England series, let him be in the reserves. Let him understand this is international cricket. I believe that he should remain with the team, even if he doesn’t have a place in the XI because Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are playing, they are the certainties,” he said.
Asked whether Sooryavanshi reminded him of Sachin Tendulkar, who made his international debut under Srikkanth’s captaincy, the former skipper dismissed any comparison.
“Let’s not compare Sachin and Sooryavanshi. Sachin is God of cricket and this boy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, I believe, is the son of God. Let’s put it that way. Just leave Sachin alone. Nobody can come near him.”
Srikkanth also praised the youngster’s fearless shot-making and temperament, describing him as a player capable of shaping India’s future across formats.
“I think he has a very stable mind. His shot-making is astonishing. His wrist speed, bat speed and bat swing are exceptional. I think that boy is tremendous for India’s future,” he said.
– Ends
