Despite being left out of India’s playing XI for the opening T20I against Ireland in Belfast on Friday, June 26, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to dominate conversations around the team’s selection calls. The 15-year-old batting sensation was widely expected to make his international debut, especially after India’s 34-run defeat to Ireland, but the team management opted to stay with the existing combination.
That decision has drawn criticism from several corners of the cricketing world, including former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, who believes the youngster should be given a fair chance to prove himself.
Dilip Vengsarkar has been particularly impressed by Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting and natural ability to clear boundaries with ease. According to the former India batter, the teenager possesses rare stroke-making skills that make him one of the most exciting young players in the game today. He feels that once Sooryavanshi gets his opportunity in India colours, he will let his bat do the talking.
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“I am sure he will get the opportunity, and once he gets it, he will grab it with both hands because he is a very good player. He is just unbelievable. He has tremendous potential. Some of the shots he plays are unreal. His batsmanship is completely different. He can clear the ground with his bat swing and hand-eye coordination. In T20 format, he has been amazing,” Dilip Vengsarkar said in an interview quoted by NDTV Sports.
When asked whether Sooryavanshi is ready for Test cricket or ODIs, Vengsarkar admitted that it would be too early to make a final judgment. Still, he made it clear that the left-hander has the talent to succeed in any format if he continues to develop the right way. The former India great emphasised that longer-format cricket will provide the real test of his temperament and technique.
“It’s very difficult to say because he is currently playing T20 cricket. I have not seen him in the longer format. But I am sure he will do well once he gets that chance. We will have to wait and see how he performs in longer formats, which is very important,” he added.
Vengsarkar also drew a comparison between Sooryavanshi and a teenage Sachin Tendulkar, pointing out that the Master Blaster was already mentally mature, disciplined and consistently productive before he entered the India setup. In his view, that same level of focus and temperament will be essential for Sooryavanshi if he is to build a lasting international career.
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With the second T20I against Ireland now shaping up as a must-win match for India, all eyes will be on the team’s final XI. Whether Sooryavanshi finally receives his maiden cap in Belfast on Sunday, June 28, remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the series.
