India’s preparations for the opening T20 International against Ireland got off to a less-than-ideal start with the visitors encountering sub-standard practice facilities upon arrival in Belfast though the focus quickly shifted to teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
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India vs Ireland |Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in focus as Shreyas Iyer era begins
In one line15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set to debut for India in T20 series against Ireland, marking Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy start.Key highlights• Youngest Indian debutantVaibhav Sooryavanshi, aged 15, could become the youngest player to represent India if he plays in the first T20I against Ireland.• Team management dilemmaIndia’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak emphasised that Sooryavanshi’s opportunity should not come at the expense of established players who are performing well.• Shreyas Iyer’s leadership debutThe series marks the beginning of Shreyas Iyer’s full-time captaincy, with a series win likely to boost his leadership credentials.• Ireland’s depleted squadIreland will be missing key players like Josh Little, Mark Adair, Paul Stirling, and Curtis Campher due to injuries ahead of the series.• Belfast’s cricket frenzyThe Irish city has seen unusual excitement with locals turning out in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the teenage sensation.Key statistics15 years oldAge of youngest Indian debutant4Number of injured Irish players missingProcessed with AI. Reviewed by DH Digital Team.
The 15-year-old will become the youngest to play for India if he takes the field in the first game of the two-match series.
However, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said Sooryavanshi will get his opportunity in due time, but it should not come at the expense of a batter scoring runs.
The team management comprising new captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir will have a headache fitting him into the playing eleven as India come into the series on the back of a second consecutive World Cup title.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the game, Kotak said it would be unfair to bench a player who has done well to accommodate Sooryavanshi.
“If he plays great, if he doesn’t play also for me, that is great because he is part of Indian team. And I’m sure that he’ll get his dues and his opportunities. So I don’t think that just to give him an opportunity, we should drop someone who has already been scoring runs.
“That also won’t be right. I think there’s a very thin line between trying to give somebody an opportunity and you’re being unfair to some other player,” said Kotak.
For a city not accustomed to cricket frenzy, Belfast has witnessed unusual excitement surrounding the teenager’s arrival.
Members of the Indian community have been turning up in significant numbers to catch a glimpse of him, and the youngster has found himself at the centre of attention wherever the team has travelled.
At a personal level, Iyer will be eager to start his full-time captaincy stint with a series win and underline his leadership abilities.
On the bowling front, India have a second-string line-up but this series and the following one against England offer them a fine chance to prove their mettle.
Ireland, on the other hand, are missing several front-line players like Josh Little, Mark Adair, Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher owing to injuries.