Sooryavanshi will break all records: Laxman; Engineer wants Vaibhav in ODIs

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had a memorable T20I series against Zimbabwe, has come in for high praise from India’s interim head coach VVS Laxman, while former cricketer Farokh Engineer called for his inclusion on the ODI team.

On Sunday (July 26), Sooryavanshi bagged the Player of the Series award in the three-match rubber against Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs with two fifties. India made a clean sweep of the series 3-0.

Sooryavanshi made 151 runs in three innings at an average of 50.33, with his sparkling 81 in the series finale laying the foundation for India's victory.

Also read: Sooryavanshi scripts history as India sweep series

This came after the teenager endured a forgettable debut series against England, managing scores of 13, 14, and 15 before being dropped from the fifth and final T20I as India slumped to a 0-4 series defeat.

What Engineer said

Impressed with the 15-year-old performances, Engineer said he should open the batting with Rohit Sharma in ODIs ahead of the 2027 World Cup. He felt captain Shubman Gill should bat at number four.

Also read: Sooryavanshi breaks record in Zimbabwe

“The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four,” Engineer told PTI.

“Gill is not a guy who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit is playing, and I think he should be playing, let him open with Sooryavanshi.

“A batsman like him (Sooryavanshi) is much better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can come third. Gill can come fourth and then we've got a solid batting line-up,” he said.

‘Genius’ Sooryavanshi

Further, he said, “This is probably the right time to draft Sooryavanshi into India's ODI side. I don't know why people distinguish so much between ODI and T20 because for me, a half-volley is a half-volley. He’s been getting runs and he's got the confidence to open the innings.

“He'll win more matches for you than lose you. When he gives a start like that, the other players can have time to consolidate the innings and put on a big score.”

The 88-year-old called Sooryavanshi ‘a genius’.

“Anything which is slightly short of length, in Suryavanshi's curve, is going to go for a six. He learned from his mistakes, he has learned to curb himself. But don't try to over-coach him. He's not from the MCC book of manual, which is completely out of date.

“He’s a genius. Nor was Viv Richards. Viv was the best batsman I've ever seen play. But persevere with Sooryavanshi. He'll be a tremendous asset for India,” he said.

Laxman hails Sooryavanshi’s maturity

Meanwhile, Laxman backed Sooryavanshi to “break all the records at the international level”.

"What is really impressive is the way he's evolved as a person. The maturity level, the understanding, and the awareness over the last six months has actually skyrocketed. And that's why he's been able to handle tough situations," said Laxman, during the post-match press conference on Sunday.

Laxman revealed that Sooryavanshi was disappointed after missing out on a century in the final T20I, but said the youngster was quickly reminded that he has a long career ahead with plenty of opportunities.

"...we mentioned to him that it's not going to be the first time or the last time he'll get an opportunity to score 100. He's got a long career. And he's got the attitude and the mindset to get better each and every day.

"And I'm sure that he will just progress and break all the records at the international level. He's got all the potential and the ability to do that," said Laxman.