New Delhi: The excitement surrounding India’s 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to grow ahead of the second and final T20I against Ireland.Fans will be hoping to see the young striker make his international debut in the opening game in Belfast. However, the youngster had to wait as India stuck to the batting line-up.The big question now is whether Sooryavanshi will get a chance in Sunday’s second T20I or whether fans will have to wait until the five-match T20I series against England, starting on July 1.
India seems to be making a comeback
India enter the second T20I after suffering one of the worst defeats in their T20 history.The T20 World Cup hosts were bowled out for 148 while chasing 183, as Ireland registered their first ever World Cup win against India.It was also frustrating to begin with Shreyas Iyerwho returned to the T20Is after 963 days and took on India for the first time in the format.With the England series around the corner, Iyer will be eager to improve the series before the team travels to England.
Iyer at the beginning of Sooryavanshi
In the toss before the first T20I, Iyer confirmed that Sooryavanshi should wait for his chance.“He is a gunner but we have a group of players who have done very well and he is a gunner but we have players who have done well for us so we are helping them. They will get their chance when the time is right,” said Iyer.
Kotak is bringing back experienced players
A day before the first T20I, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had hinted that India would not give the youngster immediate attention.“Vaibhav is very talented, there is no doubt. And the way he fought in IPL and other sports, there is no need to know that he has natural talent. Because in IPL he met Jofra, many fast bowlers, many good bowlers. And it seems that nothing is bothering him. So he’s obviously an amazing talent,” he said.Kotak also explained why the team management wants to continue to support the players who have played in the past.“That can’t be right either. I think there’s a very thin line between trying to give someone an advantage and being unfair to another player,” Kotak said.“Tonight, the captain and the head coach will decide about the team. And if he plays well, if he doesn’t play me again, that’s fine because he’s part of the Indian team. And I’m sure he’ll get his due and opportunity. So I don’t think that just to give him a chance, we should leave someone who has been scoring runs.”Whether Sooryavanshi will make his long-awaited debut on Sunday, both Iyer and Kotak indicated that the youngster is still an important part of India’s plans and that his opportunity will come at the right time.
