Former India batter Dilip Vengsarkar has urged Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to follow the example set by Sachin Tendulkar as the teenager waits for his India debut.
On the verge of a record
If the left-hander plays in any remaining match of the T20I series against Ireland, he will become the youngest man to represent India in international cricket and break Tendulkar’s long-standing mark. Tendulkar debuted at 16 against Pakistan in 1989, whereas Sooryavanshi could get there a year earlier in age terms.
Many expected him to play the first T20I in Belfast. But head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer kept faith with the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, and Sooryavanshi stayed on the bench.
What Vengsarkar saw in Tendulkar
Vengsarkar recalled that Tendulkar looked mentally mature for his age. He scored runs consistently in Mumbai’s inter-school tournaments and club cricket and was ready for the next level, which is why he was picked. In Vengsarkar’s view, Tendulkar was disciplined, passionate and fully focused on his game, and young players like Vaibhav should try to copy those traits.
Vengsarkar is confident the opportunity will come for Sooryavanshi, who he believes will grab it with both hands. He called him a very good player and simply unbelievable.
Series situation
India’s tour began poorly, as Ireland defended 182 to win the opening T20I. Attention now turns to the selection for the second match, to see whether Sooryavanshi finally gets his debut.
