‘Prepare him for the ODI World Cup…’, the veteran’s big demand regarding Vaibhav Suryavanshi

New Delhi. Former India leg spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan believes that instead of giving rest to 15-year-old talented batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi, he should get a chance to play continuously so that he gets the opportunity to learn from experiences and mistakes in different conditions. Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player to debut for India at the age of 15 years and 99 days in the second T20 International match played against England in Manchester, scored 14 runs with the help of two sixes in 10 balls in his very first match.

Sivaramakrishnan, who made his Test debut against West Indies in 1983 at the age of 17, believes that when the team management has expressed confidence in Suryavanshi, then he should also be given adequate opportunities. Sivaramakrishnan said while talking to ‘PTI’, ‘He should get continuous opportunities in limited overs cricket. There is no point in including a young player in the team and then giving him rest. He doesn’t need rest now, but should play the whole year.

He said, ‘Being a batsman, he will not need fitness management like bowlers. Batting for a long time will also increase his concentration and mental strength. Sivaramakrishnan said, ‘Once you have decided to include him in the team, you should also give him full opportunity. He is Indian cricket’s investment for the next 20 years. At this time, Suryavanshi needs the support of head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shreyas Iyer and the rest of the team players the most. Even if his performance in the first few matches is not as per expectations, he should still be given full support and he should continue to get opportunities.

Sivaramakrishnan believes that Suryavanshi is a naturally aggressive stroke-playing batsman. In such a situation, some mistakes may also be made by the player. This former leg spinner said, ‘I want him to be guided properly and get full support. He is a stroke player who will take risks at times, but modern cricket is a game of taking risks. Therefore, he should not be asked to change his natural batting style or his approach. He said that Suryavanshi will have to understand what kind of strategy the bowlers are making against him.

Giving the example of Suryavanshi playing a big shot in a hurry against the spinner in Manchester T20, he said that with experience he will also have to learn the art of taking decisions according to the circumstances. He said, ‘Now that he has started getting the experience of playing at such a big level, he will also have to start thinking about what kind of strategy the opposing bowler is going to adopt against him.’ Sivaramakrishnan believes that an extraordinary talent like Suryavanshi should get a chance in ODI cricket as well and he can emerge as a potential top-order batsman for next year’s 50-over World Cup.