Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could spark a “test cricket revival” if he fulfills his immense potential in the longest format, according to former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who urged fans and pundits not to burden the youngster with too much scrutiny.Fresh from the breakout Indian Premier League campaign, the 15-year-old has earned his maiden call-up to India’s T20I squad for the upcoming tour of Ireland and England. But Srikkanth believes Sooryavanshi’s influence could ultimately extend far beyond white-ball cricket. “What I like about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is that he has an appetite to score runs and an appetite to dominate. At the same time, he could stay there and play as well,” Srikkanth told PTI.“If he progresses beyond T20 cricket to one-day cricket and then to Test cricket, and if he clicks in Test cricket, which he will, I’m sure you’ll see a resurgence in Test cricket,” he added.
‘People switch on TV to watch Sooryavanshi’
The former India opener said the teenager possesses a rare aura that can captivate the crowd.“Today you need a cricketer like that. People turn on the TV just to watch Sooryavanshi. I turn on the TV to watch Sooryavanshi. That is the aura he has created around him. And he is something incredible,” he said.Srikkanth, however, cautioned against judging the youngster based on his meager results during India A’s recent tour of Sri Lanka.“You don’t judge a person in one series. Come on. It happens. Poor boy. It doesn’t matter. You just give him time. Don’t rush. Vaibhav, don’t worry about what people say about you, just play your natural game,” he added.
‘He is the future Indian cricket ‘
Srikkanth said that Sooryavanshi should be nurtured patiently and added a long rope to him.“He’s a guy who can win matches on his own. So I believe he should be given a very, very, very long rope. And I don’t think you should mess with him. Let’s mold him nicely. If you give him enough opportunities and if you mold him well, he will be just outstanding for Indian cricket,” said the former chief selector.Praising his shooting ability and temperament, Srikkanth called the youngster “incredible for the future of India”.
‘Sachin is God, Vaibhav is the son of God’
Asked if Sooryavanshi reminds him of Sachin Tendulkarwho made his debut under Srikkanth’s captaincy, the former Election Commission chairman avoided direct comparisons but gave a memorable description.“Let’s not compare Sachin and Sooryavanshi. Sachin is the God of cricket and this boy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, I believe, is the son of God. Let’s put it this way. Leave Sachin alone. No one can come near him,” he said.
