New Delhi, October 31: Former India opener Aakash Chopra has questioned the team management’s plans for teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the youngster was left out of the fourth T20I against New Zealand.
Chopra believes India should clearly communicate Sooryavanshi’s role and long-term prospects in the team. He suggested that if the 15-year-old is not likely to get regular opportunities, he should return to domestic cricket, particularly first-class cricket, to gain match experience.
Sooryavanshi featured in the second and third T20Is after Ishan Kishan was ruled out due to injury. He scored four runs in the second match before making an impressive 45 off just 19 balls in the third T20I.
However, Kishan’s return to fitness meant Sooryavanshi was left out of the playing XI for the fourth match.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra questioned whether the teenager would only get opportunities when an established player was unavailable.
He said that if Sooryavanshi was not part of India’s immediate plans, sending him back to play first-class cricket would be more beneficial than keeping him in the dressing room without regular opportunities.
Chopra also urged the team management to make its roadmap and philosophy regarding the youngster clear. He said the management might already have a plan, but it had not communicated that plan publicly.
The debate over Sooryavanshi’s selection comes after India suffered an 87-run defeat in the fourth T20I. New Zealand scored 259 for seven, powered by Glenn Phillips’ 107 off 49 balls. India managed 172 for nine in reply.
India had already secured the five-match series with a 3-0 lead before the fourth match. The final T20I will provide another opportunity for the team management to assess its playing combination.
