Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has said that Abhishek Sharma was trying to play similar shots on every delivery but that didn’t work when Vaibhav Sooryavanshi came in to bat, adding that a better chemistry between the duo might have helped the teenager to score some runs.
Sooryavanshi came into the playing XI in place of the injured Ishan Kishan and batted at No. 3.
Sooryavanshi couldn’t make an impact, managing just four runs off eight balls before being dismissed. Ashwin pointed out how Abhishek should have calmed Sooryavanshi’s nerves as a senior partner.
“Abhishek was playing the same shot on every ball and it didn’t work when Vaibhav was at the other end. It was his job to calm Vaibhav, rotate the strike and give him some advice,”
Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
“That trick was missed. But it will be a valuable lesson for Vaibhav,” Ashwin said.
The former India cricketer also felt that Sooryavanshi shouldn’t be rushed into the playing XI and can afford to wait for the right chances.
“I feel we must not push for him to play so soon. He will get his chances. Don’t put so much pressure and expectation on him. If he misses these lessons, he will not become as big as he should,” Ashwin said.
“In the Asian Games, Vaibhav and Abhishek opened. Sanju played at three and Ishan played further down. It was a very interesting take. That’s not happening in this squad,” Ashwin added.
The former Indian cricketer explained that India needed Nitish Kumar Reddy, which meant Sooryavanshi had to bat at No. 3 despite it not being his ideal position.
“I know it’s not his ideal spot. At this stage, he has to open if he is to succeed. But the problem was that he came to bat in the fifth over today and it’s not easy. He needs to know how to find gaps and take singles at this position,” Ashwin said.
