Our Bureau
New Delhi
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is looking to put a difficult few months behind him as India prepare to begin their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, with the 15-year-old insisting his confidence remains intact despite an inconsistent start to his international career.
Sooryavanshi, who became India’s youngest-ever international cricketer during the recent tour of England, admitted that the past four months have brought “several ups and downs” but said he remains committed to trusting the process and giving his best for the team. After making his debut against England in Manchester, the youngster managed modest scores in his first few outings before being dropped from the final T20I.
The opener now returns to familiar surroundings in Harare, where he produced one of the most memorable performances of his young career by smashing 175 off just 80 balls against England in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final earlier this year. That innings helped India clinch the title and has given the teenager confidence heading into the Zimbabwe series.
Sooryavanshi said his previous experience of playing in Harare has helped him understand the conditions and that he hopes to apply those learnings if selected in the playing XI. He also credited the coaching staff for ensuring he has received the guidance and practice needed to prepare for the series.
The young batter has also received strong backing from senior figures in the cricketing fraternity. India captain Shreyas Iyer expressed confidence that Sooryavanshi has learned from his early setbacks, while Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza urged critics not to judge the youngster after only a handful of international appearances, describing him as a potential generational talent.
