Ravi Shastri Advocates for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Inclusion in India's T20 Squad

Shastri Questions Sooryavanshi's Omission

Ravi Shastri, the former coach of the Indian cricket team, expressed his discontent regarding the exclusion of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the playing XI against Ireland. Despite being called up to the national team, Sooryavanshi has remained on the sidelines for three consecutive matches. This situation is somewhat understandable, considering the impressive performances of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order. However, Shastri highlighted Sooryavanshi's remarkable form over the past year, particularly in the IPL, where he dominated bowlers and secured the Orange Cap with 776 runs. The decision to bench him faced scrutiny, especially after India's disappointing 2-0 series loss to Ireland. Shastri remarked that had Sooryavanshi played, he would have thrived on the small grounds, stating, 'He should have played against Ireland. It was a slow and spongy pitch. He would have taken advantage of the conditions and performed exceptionally well.'

Shastri continued, 'Now, whether he plays in England is uncertain. I hope he gets a chance soon. He has proven himself against every fast bowler in the IPL, yet he remains on the bench.' His comments were made during a discussion on the Sony Sports Network ahead of the first T20I between India and England.

The X-Factor: Shastri's Strong Endorsement

'He's The X-Factor, India Must Make Space For Him' - Ravi Shastri

Shastri firmly believes that Sooryavanshi is an essential asset for the Indian team. He emphasized that the young player, who is just 15 years old, brings a unique energy and fearlessness to the game. 'He is the X-factor, free from any pressure. If he can settle in for a few overs, he will provide a strong start that the middle order can build upon. The team needs to find a spot for him,' Shastri concluded.