Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is once again making waves. One match into the IPL and the Rajasthan Royals opener is already being talked about as the most
explosive new-generation cricketer whose fearless approach and hunger for runs are unmatched.
The wonder kid smashed 52 off 17 balls at a strike-rate of 305.88 as Rajasthan Royals chased down the 128-run target in 12.1 overs against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati. At just 15, Sooryavanshi is showing maturity beyond his age. His ability to clear the field even leaves some of his teammates in awe.
“We don’t put pressure on him and don’t want him to be aware of the noise outside. So it’s about what he likes doing. He likes batting, so we ensure that he gets to bat enough in the nets. If there’s something he likes to eat, we make sure that’s available for him,” Riyan Parag, the Royals captain, said on Monday.
“As far as what he does inside (the ground) is concerned, like Dhruv (Jurel) and I were sitting outside and the first two-three overs had been bowled, we were wondering how he was hitting the ball so well when the wicket was a bit sticky, it had some moisture. Like everyone in the stands, we also watch him the same way. We are also like ‘wow, how does he do it’.”
Sooryavanshi made batting look easier than it was on Monday evening at the Barsapara Stadium.
Even Dale Steyn was taken aback by his sheer power. “It was the first time I’ve watched him bat, and it was incredible,” Steyn told JioHotstar. “The sheer power in his wrists! He hit Matt Henry’s slower ball over extra-cover point; I don’t know how he managed that. It’s one of the most incredible shots I’ve ever seen.”
Talks of fast-tracking Sooryavanshi to the senior Indian T20 team are picking up pace, but Ravichandran Ashwin wants the selectors to take a cautious approach.
“Don’t give him such a target. He is not even a guy, he is a kid. If MS Dhoni is playing till 45 (44), and if Sooryavanshi plays till 40, he has two and a half decades left in cricket. Leave him alone, he will come on his own when the time is right,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“He is too good to not play for India. He will play anyway eventually. When will he play? For that, we might have to wait a bit. Why are we always in a hurry?” the off-spinner said.