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Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri slams the Indian team management, led by the current head coach Gautam Gambhir, with some brutal remarks over the delay in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s debut in the T20Is.
Ahead of the 1st of the 5-match T20I series between India and England, the former head coach, in a straightforward manner, opined that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi deserved to receive his debut cap during the Ireland series, where India lost the contest 0-2.
Ravi Shastri asks the Indian team management to immediately play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
India suffered a rare T20I series defeat in Belfast, that too at the hands of the Ireland cricket team. It was the first-ever series win for Ireland over India. Ravi Shastri believes that if the Indian team management had allowed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to face the Irish bowling line-up, then the scenario could be different.
Shastri stated that Vaibhav should have played in Ireland, where the surface was slow and the boundary was small. According to the 64-year-old, the 15-year-old batter could have put an massive impact because the conditions were favourable for his batting style.
“He should have played. He should have played in Ireland. There was such a slow track, a spongy track. I don't know if he will play here (Durham). I am not sure whether they will play him or not. But play him as soon as you can,” the former coach opined on Sony Sports.
“He has beaten everyone in the IPL. Which fast bowler has he left? You are making him sit on the bench to warm him up,” he added.
Ravi Shastri mentioned the favourable conditions in Ireland
In comparison to the ground in Belfast, Durham’s ground had much wider boundary lines. And the conditions are also different in England than in Ireland. As Ravi Shastri mentioned, the slow pitches and small ground in Ireland, will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi be able to bring the same impact on the bigger grounds?
In response to the question, Shastri said that to find out the answer, the team needs to play the batter first; then it will be clear whether he can perform on bigger grounds.
Should Vaibhav Sooryavanshi make his debut in England?
According to Ravi Shastri, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the X-factor of the team, who, if he plays 2 to 3 overs only, will be visible impact on the scoreboard. With his unearthly hitting skills, the Bihar-born can instantly provide the team a solid start inside the powerplay.
“I should play him because he is an X-factor. He has no baggage. He is 15 years old. He is an exuberance of youth. He has no fear. If he plays 2-3 overs in the beginning, he will give such a start that the middle order can capitalize. So, we have to find a place for him. As I said, the sooner the better, the sooner the better,” he added.
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Ravi Shastri's brutally honest take on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 💬
Watch #ENGvIND, 2nd T20I on 4th July, 6 PM onwards, LIVE on Sony Sports Network TV channels.#SonySportsNetwork #MamlaPersonalHai #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/0S9yMguEig
The first match of the 5-match T20I series was washed out because of rain ahead of the second inning of the match. India will face England for the second game on July 4 at the Old Trafford cricket ground.
