Nayar Defends Sooryavanshi’s Slow Start and Backs Iyer’s Captaincy

Abhishek Nayar has urged observers not to judge Vaibhav Sooryavanshi too soon after a quiet start to his India career, arguing that the teenager plays with freedom because he has nothing to lose.

A debut without expectations

Sooryavanshi earned his India debut in the second T20I against England, taking the place of Sanju Samson in the XI. He has made 14, 13 and 15 in his first three innings.

Speaking on JioStar’s Googlies, Nayar said the pressure sits more with established bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah or Jofra Archer than with the young batter. If Sooryavanshi is dismissed early nobody will question it, he explained, but if he hits a six the bowler’s reputation is suddenly on the line.

He added that senior players have more to lose: dismissing a youngster is expected, while being attacked successfully by him shifts the spotlight. As a career advances and expectations grow, he said, maintaining that level gets tougher.

Faith in Iyer as captain

Nayar also backed Shreyas Iyer, despite India’s poor T20I run under him. They have won none of their six matches, with one ending in a washout.

Nayar pointed to Iyer’s steady run-scoring for India and to his leadership in taking Mumbai to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He said Iyer reached a point where he stopped worrying about selection and simply focused on contributing.

Nayar argued that captains who inherit star-studded sides find success easier, whereas Iyer has regularly delivered with younger, less experienced teams, which is why many feel there is something special in how he brings the best out of emerging players.