Former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja lavished praise on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after India registered a six-wicket win in the third T20I at the Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday. Sooryavanshi, who batted at one down in the second game, was promoted to his natural opening position in the run chase of 199.
The youngster scored a blistering knock of 45 runs off just 19 balls as he batted at the top of his game. He added 118 runs in the Powerplay overs with Abhishek Sharma, which is now the most by a full-member ICC team.
Sooryavanshi and Abhishek added 133 runs off just 43 balls as the New Zealand bowlers were taken to the cleaners.
“He hit a huge six over point on the second or third ball itself. One reason you feel happy is because of his age, and that’s the strength because of which he is able to do this. Abhishek Sharma said what he was thinking about, that it was swinging and that he spoke to everyone. That childishness makes him special, and that’s why he has fans all over the world because he is doing things differently,” Ajay Jadeja said on Sony Sports.
“He didn’t score a century today. When Tendulkar came to play as a 16-year-old, his style was totally different from his seniors. Only a young player can make that impact. An experienced player walks slightly cautiously. You see his impact on the team as well. You won’t see that impact in numbers, but those watching the match are seeing that impact. If he is playing like this, how can the player at the other end stop?” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane said Abhishek Sharma got confidence after Sooryavanshi took the attack against Jacob Duffy in the first over.
“I felt Abhishek gained confidence after watching him – the first ball he hit over mid-on. Abhishek even said that he got confidence after watching Vaibhav. The first good thing was that he got a chance to open,” he said.
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
