Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer has suggested a change in India’s batting order for One Day Internationals (ODIs), advocating for teenage player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to open alongside Rohit Sharma. Engineer believes this adjustment would allow Shubman Gill to bat at number four, creating a strong batting lineup ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Engineer’s proposal includes Virat Kohli batting at number three. He highlighted Gill’s quality as a player, stating that Gill is a class player and, in his opinion, currently the best batsman in the team. Engineer emphasized that Gill is not a player who frequently lifts the ball, making a left-right combination with Rohit and Sooryavanshi ideal for ODIs.
Sooryavanshi’s Recent Performances and Potential Role
Sooryavanshi recently emerged as the leading run-scorer in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, accumulating 151 runs, which included two half-centuries. He was named Player of the Series as India secured a 3-0 clean sweep. Engineer views these performances as sufficient reason to integrate the teenager into India’s ODI plans, suggesting that this is the appropriate time to draft Sooryavanshi into the team.
Engineer noted that Sooryavanshi’s natural game involves finding larger gaps in the field, making him suitable for an opening role. He also mentioned that Sooryavanshi’s aggressive approach could provide a strong start, allowing other players time to consolidate the innings and build a substantial score. While Sooryavanshi faced challenges during a T20I tour of England, his adaptability was evident in the Zimbabwe series, where he scored 81 runs off 49 balls in the final T20I on a slow pitch after an earlier rapid half-century.
Despite areas for improvement, such as handling short-pitched bowling and adapting to overseas conditions, Engineer cautioned against over-coaching Sooryavanshi, stressing that his natural talent is what makes him special. He compared Sooryavanshi’s genius to that of Viv Richards, urging perseverance with the young player as he could be a significant asset for India.
Alternative Views on Fast-Tracking Sooryavanshi
While Engineer supports Sooryavanshi’s inclusion, other perspectives suggest caution regarding fast-tracking him into the ODI team. Former cricket administrator Makarand Waingankar has also advocated for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the Indian ODI setup to prepare for the 2027 World Cup, comparing him to Sanath Jayasuriya.
However, some opinions indicate that the hype around Sooryavanshi might need to be tempered. One argument is that India’s current opening pair of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma is established and expected to continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup. Furthermore, Yashasvi Jaiswal is considered a strong contender as a long-term replacement for Sharma, having performed well in the 50-over format, including a century in a recent match against Afghanistan.
Another point of view is that Sooryavanshi has not yet played enough matches in longer formats at the domestic level, such as the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy. It is suggested that he should gain more experience in these formats to prove his readiness for international ODI cricket. Additionally, Sooryavanshi has only played seven international T20I matches, and some believe he should focus on establishing himself in the T20I format before transitioning to ODI cricket.
Sooryavanshi has been in the limelight after scoring an IPL century for Rajasthan Royals and helping India U-19 win the U19 World Cup. He also emerged as the highest run-scorer in an IPL season. He made his debut against England and later showcased his abilities in the Zimbabwe series.
Engineer believes that Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach and ability to win matches make him a player that India should invest in now, rather than waiting for the future, with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
