The emergence of teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and competition from younger players seem to have pushed several senior Indian cricketers to deny themselves a break during the recently concluded T20I series against the West Indies at home, which ended 2-2.
According to a report by myKhel, BCCI selectors wanted to use the five-match series to test India’s bench strength and give opportunities to fringe players. However, several senior members of the squad expressed their willingness to play instead of sitting out the series.
The report said the fear of losing their places amid competition from emerging players was one factor behind the seniors’ stance. With youngsters pushing for opportunities, missing a series could allow a replacement to impress
and strengthen their claim for a regular spot.
Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old batting prospect, is the major source of attention. He sat out the entire series, and did the same during the previous three-match rubber against Afghanistan.
As perhaps the most prodigious talent the country has seen since Sachin Tendulkar, and one coming off a record-breaking IPL season, the pressure has been relentless on openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Both Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir have tried to protect them, reminding the media about their World Cup-winning credentials.
Most recently,batting coach Sitanshu Kotak even called the ‘hype’ around Sooryavanshi harmful to him.
“See, everyone likes him,” he said. “The public likes him. Social media likes him. He has that talent. The team also likes him. But, because of that, you can’t make changes in 11 because people like him. He is very talented and has a bright, bright future ahead. He will learn a lot of things once he starts playing. But, initially, I felt there was a lot of hype about (his spot in 11).”
“I genuinely felt it is not good for the player also. For a young 15- 16-year-old boy, everyone is saying that he should play and he is not getting the space. He is too young. It is sad, and it is sad for other players also who are performing. People related to cricket should think about it. Whether they are actually helping, or just creating something, they are doing something,” he added.
Sooryavanshi did get a start in the second T20I against New Zealand, batting out of position at number three in place of injured Ishan Kishan, and managed only four runs.
