‘You don’t often see that from him’ – Kris Srikkanth’s massive statement on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after India’s series win vs Zimbabwe

Kris Srikkanth was impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s knock in the third T20I against Zimbabwe, as the 15-year-old showed maturity beyond his years, mixing caution with aggression to excel on a tough track. The game was played on a used surface at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 26.

Sooryavanshi didn’t go hammer and tongs from the word go. Instead, he understood that the pitch was slow and the bounce was even and played according to the conditions. He eventually scored 81 off 49 balls, hitting eight fours and four sixes, helping India reach 192/5 in the first innings.

“165 is a deadly strike rate, but for Sooryavanshi, it felt like it’s just 165. You don’t often see that from him, but the application was right today. It was not an easy wicket. It was slow, some balls were bouncing, and some kept low. It was beautiful to watch as he showed maturity. He waited and took some time and did not go berserk. He applied himself, also took many ones and twos, which is a very good sign. The fact that he is pushing himself like that is a good sign,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Srikkanth noted that the Zimbabwean bowlers tried everything against Sooryavanshi but he had answers ready. The cricketer-turned-expert opined that had Sooryavanshi been dismissed early, India would have been restricted to around 170.

“If not for his 81, we would have maybe made 160-170. Others were not able to time the ball that well. That partnership between Vaibhav and Shreyas was also very crucial. They bowled yorkers to him, bowled just short of length, not short enough to pull, and that is where I thought Vaibhav tackled the bowling very well. He played for a long time as an opener, which was an important factor. If he had gotten out early, we could probably have been in trouble.”

Srikkanth wants Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to play ODI cricket

India went on to win the match by 35 runs and completed a whitewash in the three-T20I series. Sooryavanshi was named Player of the Match as well as Player of the Series. Srikkanth urged the selectors and team management to fast-track Sooryavanshi into the ODI side.

“I want them to groom Vaibhav and get him into the 15 in the one-day side. I will take him for that. Let him be the 15th or 16th. I am not saying ahead of Jaiswal, but you can have both in the 16. You took the likes of Shedge and Dube in England, who I don’t think deserved. Fast-track him. Tell whatever you want, Man of the Series at the age of 15, what an achievement,” he said.

Srikkanth also hoped that the selectors would give Sooryavanshi a long rope and not drop him if he fails on a few occasions over the next 20 matches.

“Now the question is, how are you going to groom Vaibhav and take him to the next level? You will play Afghanistan, West Indies and all of that. Tell him that for the next 20 games he will not be dropped at all and give him that confidence, that boy will also improve his temperament. That boy showed that he’s got maturity and can play various kinds of shots. He read the wicket well.”