Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made history on Saturday (July 4) by making his international debut in the second T20I against England at Old Trafford.
At just 15 years and 99 days old, the southpaw broke Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record as the youngest-ever Indian to debut in men’s international cricket.
In his brief stay at the crease, Sooryavanshi showed glimpses of his explosive talent by hitting two sixes before being stumped for 14 runs off 10 balls.
Addressing the media ahead of the third T20I at Trent Bridge, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak asserted that Sooryavanshi was ready to make his debut from the time he was picked in the Indian squad and there wasn't anything specific that the team management was working on to prepare the teenager.
“He was set to debut from the point he came into the team; there is no such thing that he was ready (for his debut only) in the last match,” Kotak told reporters on Monday (July 6).
“For us, it was all about his game, his instincts and the way he plays, and the way he has played all along to get till this point, he should continue playing that. I do not think there were any precise instructions (that he's been given) to do this, or do that,” he added.
The batting coach strongly defended India’s recent T20I setbacks, explaining that the squad is navigating a necessary transition phase under new captain Shreyas Iyer while adjusting to the absence of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Following a 0-2 series defeat to Ireland and a four-wicket loss to England in the second T20I, the Indian team has come under severe scrutiny but Kotak emphasized that short-term results should not overshadow long-term planning for the 2028 T20 World Cup.
“See, our attempt is to improve in all three (departments); batting, bowling, and fielding. (From) the last World Cup which we won, the plan is that if the next World Cup comes in next two years, then how can we reach the next level from this? Because all other teams will also try to get better.
“In the last two years, we haven't lost a single series. We won the (T20) World Cup, we won the Asia Cup T20. (But) after losing two (three) matches, so many people have said ‘they are losing now',” Kotak said.
“It is (the nature of the) game. Sometimes, when there is a transition -- the captain has changed, Hardik is not there, (and) you are trying to introduce 3-4 young players -- even then, it should not happen, but such things can happen. The Indian team's efforts remain the same.
“Everyone has their limitations, but we always try that (to improve) in batting, bowling, and fielding. If we are looking at winning the next World Cup, we will have to get better. We have to do better than what we have done in the last World Cup,” he remarked.
With Hardik currently sidelined due to injury, the Indian team management is focused on developing tactical depth in the fast-bowling all-rounder department. Budding players like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Suryansh Shedge are being consistently exposed to high-stakes international scenarios to establish reliable contingency options for major tournaments.
“In T20, pace bowling all-rounders play a very important role if you count one as the sixth bowler,” Kotak said.
“In this team, there is Suryansh, who did well in the IPL. With all these young players, all 15 players might not get to play but, at least if they are with the team, they will get used to the environment. In between, there is a lot of cricket, domestic, and IPL.
“The way Hardik performs and the quality and the experience he has, to match that, Nitish (injured now) is getting experience. Suryansh, he has just joined the team. But if you look at the process, the BCCI, the selectors, and the team management always try to prepare the best for an event even if it is two years away,” he added.
(With PTI Inputs)
