Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made a remarkable international debut in India’s first T20I against Zimbabwe on Thursday, becoming the youngest player to win a T20I in half a century.The 15-year-old became the youngest player to score a maiden T20I 50 after he smashed an 18-ball fifty in Harare. It was a short-lived response from the young batsman, who managed 14, 13 and 15 in his first three matches for India in the T20Is against England. Following these results, Sooryavanshi was left out of the playing XI for the fifth and final T20I. His exception came during the intense scrutiny of Indian elections. Earlier in the England series, Sanju Samsonwho was India’s Player of the Tournament during their T20 World Cup triumph, was dropped from the side, and Sooryavanshi was brought into the playing XI. However, in the fifth game, the management changed course, bringing Samson back and leaving the youngster. Samson was not included in the Indian team for the tour of Zimbabwe. Former India captain and former BCCI selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth admitted that he was puzzled by the decision to drop Sooryavanshi after only three failures and wanted to become the head coach. Gautam Gambhir on the move. “He (Sooryavanshi) has a steady shot, yet, not a single shot was hit. This guy is really something special,” said Srikkanth, speaking on his YouTube channel, as reported by Sportskeeda. With Gambhir not accompanying the team for the tour of Zimbabwe, the former India batsman VVS Laxman he is working as the head coach of the team. Srikkanth also highlighted the youngster’s commitment to change, revealing that Sooryavanshi returned to work after the England series instead of taking a break. “I salute Vaibhav for his dedication. After the England series, he didn’t go home and instead went to the team. Rajasthan Royals camp. He has been trying to hit the short ball because he wants to prove to the world that he is special,” Srikkanth added. The 1983 World Cup winner was equally impressed with the fearless approach Sooryavanshi displayed despite the pressure to retain his place in the national side. According to Srikkanth, many young players would have opted for the safe route after scoring so few goals, but the youngster still committed to his attacking game. “The ease with which he scores at the 250 level is amazing. Usually, after three runs, other players would have tried to defend their place in the Indian team by taking singles and doubles. But he played fearlessly without worrying about the result. Scoring 50 off 18 balls has been child’s play for him. This is his greatness,” Srikkanth explained.Sooryavanshi’s breakthrough not only earned him a place in the record books but also solidified his story as one of India’s most exciting young talents. Srikkanth’s comments also highlighted the challenges of selection and team integration questions that India continues to face.
