New Delhi: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri didn’t mince his words as he criticised the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management for not handing teenage sensation his international debut in the recently concluded T20I series against Ireland.
Shastri made a bold claim, stating that Sooryavanshi would have taken Ireland’s ‘pants off’ if he got to play in the T20I series. The decided against handing Sooryavanshi his much-awaited debut as the visitors succumbed to an embarrassing 2-0 defeat in the two-match series in Belfast.
India stuck with the settled opening pairing of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top, however, the move backfired as the duo failed to inspire the team to victory in either of the two matches. While Abhishek stuck a half-century in the series opener, Samson was dismissed for a duck in both games.
Shastri believes India missed a trick by not giving Sooryavanshi his debut against Ireland, claiming that the 15-year-old would have taken the hosts to the cleaners. Shastri said the wicket on which the Indian batters struggled would have suited Sooryavanshi, and he would have enjoyed batting on the track.
“Arrey, woh khelna chahiye tha yaar (He should have played against Ireland). It was such a slow and spongy track. He would have smacked them on the terrace, it was such a small ground. He would have taken their pants off. He should have definitely played there,” Sastri said on the Sony Sports Network.
While he was in favour of Sooryavanshi making his debut against Ireland, Shastri said he is not sure if the Indian team management will be willing to give the 15-year-old his debut in the ongoing T20I series against England.
“Now, whether he plays in England, I’m not sure. I am not sure whether they will blame him, but give him a game as soon as possible. He has smashed everyone in the IPL. Which fast bowler did he spare? And you’re making him warm the bench,” Shastri added.
India stick with Samson-Abhishek pairing in 1st T20I against England
There was no debut for Sooryavanshi as India once again went with the opening pairing of Samson and Abhishek in the 1st T20I of the five-match series against England in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday. Samson’s flop show continued as he was once again dismissed cheaply on 1 off 7 balls.
Abhishek continued his phenomenal run with a brilliant knock of 59 runs off 24 deliveries. Skipper Shreyas Iyer also came to the party with his 47-ball 68 to help India post a strong total of 189 on the board, but the match ended in a no result after rain played spoilsport.