‘Right now he might be nervous’ – Mohammad Kaif on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of Zimbabwe T20Is

Mohammad Kaif on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of Zimbabwe T20Is (Source:Ranjith Kumar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi might be feeling anxious heading into the Zimbabwe T20I series, but a solid 50-60 run innings could be exactly what the young opener needs to rebuild confidence following a difficult England tour.

Sooryavanshi made his India debut against England and struck 14 off 10 balls in his first T20I, though England beat India by four wickets in that match. The teenager had blasted 175 off just 80 balls in the Under-19 World Cup final against England at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe, a ground he’ll return to for this upcoming series. The contrast between his explosive junior performances and his measured international start has created both anticipation and scrutiny.

“Vaibhav Suryavanshi got the chance, but a big score did not come from his bat. He would also wish that he contributes for the team, because he is a class batter. It is a huge thing to win the Orange Cap in the IPL as a 15-year-old. Right now, he might be nervous. If he scores a 50-60 run knock, then he will shine. He is a great talent, there is no doubt about that at all,” Kaif said on Cricbuzz.

India face Zimbabwe in three T20Is at Harare Sports Club from July 23 to 26, 2026. The left-handed batter became the youngest-ever Orange Cap holder at just 15 years and 65 days after an exceptional IPL 2026 campaign. However, his domestic dominance has not yet translated to the international stage.

Shreyas Iyer under pressure as captain amid India’s struggling form

Iyer has not won a match as India captain, having faced defeats in his previous seven matches in charge. India suffered their first-ever bilateral series loss to Ireland, falling 2-0, and the England tour added further disappointment.

“Even before the India captaincy, Shreyas Iyer had a losing run in the second half of IPL 2026. Then he got the opportunity to lead India, before that he was not even in the team. He came into the team as captain, and this has never happened before in Indian cricketing history,” said Kaif.

“Now, after losing against Ireland, where no one expected India to lose, and then after losing to England, the captain is the one who is under the most tension. At least get off the mark, right now, we are not even able to start. We will run the marathon, but we are not even able to hit the 100-metre mark. So, that weight will be there,” he added.

The Zimbabwe series offers both Sooryavanshi and Iyer a chance to reverse their fortunes on African soil, though every fresh match brings mounting expectations as India seek their first win in four months.

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