India’s T20I side is buzzing with talent, yet one name repeatedly crops up among fans and analysts: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young prodigy, still awaiting his turn on the field, has captivated followers even before earning a consistent spot in the XI.
Before the second T20I against New Zealand, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the situation surrounding 15-year-old Sooryavanshi. “He is really young, but the way everyone in the team management takes care of him – I keep an eye neutrally – and everyone likes him, social media likes him, team also likes him. But you can’t make changes to the XI because people like him,” Kotak explained. Recognising Sooryavanshi’s potential, Kotak remains confident about his future. “He is very talented and I believe he has a bright, bright future ahead. So once he gets his opportunities and settles down, he will learn a lot of things.”
With Ishan Kishan’s right adductor strain from the first T20I, there’s speculation that Sooryavanshi might finally take to the pitch on Saturday. However, Kotak cautioned against the pressures of hype surrounding the teenager. “I felt that at the start, there was a lot of hype that ‘he has to play’. I genuinely felt that wasn’t good for the player also. Just a 15-16-year-old boy, and everyone saying ‘he should play’ and ‘he isn’t being picked’ and so on. He is too young. It’s something I can’t control but it’s sad. And it’s sad for the other openers also, who are performing but people are saying ‘why is he playing’.”
The current preference for Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Kishan reflects India’s strategy and depth. Kotak observed, “Now he is much more mature. He understood that Sanju is playing well, or Abhishek is playing well – how can they be left out.” Despite longing to play, Sooryavanshi maintains positivity and patience, which Kotak believes will serve him well in the long run. “He will learn that. This [waiting for his turn] will do a lot of good to him.”
Sooryavanshi, while primarily sidelined, continues to work on his game, especially with Kotak’s mentorship. Emphasising his instincts and shot selection, Kotak remarked, “He just decides what shots to play. But yeah, he is an unbelievable talent.”
Parallelly, Kotak expressed enthusiasm about Naman Dhir’s capabilities. Making a mark with a quickfire 24 and 42 in recent T20Is, Dhir has showcased his explosive prowess. “He is a power-packed player, he knows what is expected [of him] and he exactly does that, which is a great sign,” noted Kotak. Comparing him to renowned names, analysts like Aakash Chopra see shades of Hardik Pandya in Dhir’s approach. With his ability to contribute with both bat and field, Dhir presents a significant asset to the team framework.
While it’s still early days for both Sooryavanshi and Dhir, their burgeoning careers warrant close attention as they continue to integrate into India’s rich tapestry of cricket talent.
