Former Cricketer States That Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Should Be Selected Into The ODI Team For The World Cup
Sooryavanshi was awarded the Man Of The Series in the just concluded series against Zimbabwe, as he scored 151 runs with two half centuries
XtraTime Newsdesk: Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be pushed into the ODI squad as an opener with Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2027 World Cup, according to former India cricketer Farokh Engineer. The former wicketkeeper batter believes Shubman Gill, the other half of Rohit's current opening duo and the captain of the ODI side, can bat at No. 4, adding extra meat to the middle order.
“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 (Sooryavanshi) 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 said.
Sooryavanshi was awarded the Man Of The Series in the just concluded series against Zimbabwe, as he scored 151 runs with two half centuries. Engineer felt that the 15 year old batting prodigy is ready for the ODI 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,” Engineer noted.
The 88-year-old former cricketer said the Indian team must continue with Sooryavanshi because he is a high quality match winner.
“Anything which is slightly short of length, in Suryavanshi's curve, is going to go for a six. He learned from his mistakes, he has learned to curb himself. But don't try to over-coach him. He's not from the MCC book of manual, which is completely out of date."
“He's a genius. Nor was Viv Richards. Viv was the best batsman I've ever seen play. But persevere with Sooryavanshi. He'll be a tremendous asset for India,” he said.