Follow UsIt has been less than four months since a 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for Rajasthan Royals (RR). But his impact has been such that many are claiming that the young Bihar opener could be India’s next biggest thing.
Former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth has gone one step ahead, asking Ajit Agarkar and his team to pick the 14-year-old in India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. India’s top-order is already packed, with the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
“You have to play boldly. Don’t make him wait. Don’t say things like let him mature. He is already playing with remarkable maturity. His shot-making has been on another level. If I were chairman, I would definitely have him in the 16," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel, reported Hindustan Times.
It didn’t really make any difference for Srikkanth, who pressed the selectors to pick the young gun in the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.
“Samson is doubtful, according to me. My first-choice opener is Abhishek Sharma, no doubt. I will have two more openers. My picks would be Vaibhav Suryavanshi or Sai Sudharsan, with Shubman Gill as an option. If I were a selector, I would keep Vaibhav in the 15 for the T20 World Cup,” said Srikkanth.
Across seven IPL games, the left-hander left a long-lasting impression, smashing a 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans (GT) and amassing 252 runs at a strike rate of 206.55. He further added that two of Jaiswal, Suryavanshi and Sudharsan should be on India’s squad for the T20 World Cup.
“He has been outstanding. I think it should be Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sai Sudharsan. I would take two out of these three. That would be my preference,” he added.