Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Parthiv Patel has urged team’s think to carefully handle Vaibhav Sooryavanshi amid the ongoing five-match T20I series against England. A lot of experts want Sooryavanshi to make his International debut sooner rather than later, and there have been mixed opinions regarding him getting a chance.
Patel reckons Sooryavanshi will get his opportunity in the five-match T20I series against England but at the same time, the communication between him and the team management should be up to the mark.
Parthiv Patel said on Star Sports segment Game Plan, “I feel that at some point in this series, Vaibhav Suryavanshi will definitely get an opportunity. But at this point in time, communication is something which is very important. You know, when you are part of a coaching staff, you have to make sure that you are giving away the right signals to a batter.
“Even if you are not going to make him play, you have to tell him that fact. He’s a 15-year-old kid. You have to speak to him carefully. You have to teach him a little patience. Because when you are playing for India, when you are picked for India, there are a lot of other players as well who have done really well,” he added.
Patel reckons India will continue to back their top three batters – Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan and the same should be communicated to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
“Talking about Sanju Samson. You know, he was the Player of the Series in the World Cup. You have Ishan Kishan, who is batting at No. 3 and is the No. 1 ICC-ranked player. No. 2 is Abhishek Sharma. At this point in time, there is no place, and you have to communicate that really well to Vaibhav Suryavanshi.”
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer scored an impressive knock of 68 runs off 47 balls in the opening T20I against England, and Patel said the Indian skipper is a proven performer in the T20 format.
“I think those who were raising the most questions would have felt the most relieved. As a player, Shreyas Iyer does not have to worry about anything. You know, he’s a proven performer in this format at the international level.”
The second T20I between India and England will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday.
