India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak feels 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the “mental capabilities” to make his mark in international cricket if selected for Friday’s T20I against Ireland in Belfast [13:30 BST].
Should Sooryavanshi make his debut on Friday or in Sunday’s second T20 between the sides, he will break the world record as the youngest international that is currently held by Sachin Tendulkar, who played a one-day international against Pakistan in 1989, aged 16.
Kotak has “no doubt” about the talent possessed by Sooryavanshi who top-scored in the Indian Premier League [IPL] this season, hitting 776 runs in 16 innings for the Rajasthan Royals, while setting a new an all-time record 65 sixes in a single season.
While there is great anticipation Sooryavanshi will get his opportunity at Stormont Cricket Club, Kotak insists his selection is far from a given.
“In the IPL, he has faced Jofra [Archer] and many other quick bowlers, and it seems nothing is bothering him,” Kotak said at Thursday’s news conference.
“He is an extraordinary talent but the captain and head coach will decide the team. If he doesn’t play, that’s great too as he is part of the India team and I’m sure he will get his opportunities.
“Dropping someone who has been scoring runs also wouldn’t be right, so it’s up to the team management to decide what we plan to do in this match.
“There’s a fine line between giving someone an opportunity and being unfair to some other player.”
Despite his tender years, Kotak doesn’t believe the weight of expectation will unduly trouble Sooryavanshi if and when he makes his bow.
“I don’t think he will have any nervousness, but the way our team culture is, everyone will try to make him comfortable and make him part of the team,” he continued.
“Otherwise, he has looked normal in the way he behaves.”
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