Gavaskar Advocates for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Inclusion in T20 Squad

Cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar has made a strong case for including teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in India's T20 squad for their forthcoming series against England. Describing the young cricketer as 'God's gift to Indian cricket,' Gavaskar believes a spot should be secured for Sooryavanshi in the lineup.

Gavaskar, who was left in awe of Sooryavanshi's blistering 29-ball 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, highlighted the youngster's fearless play, especially his six off Pat Cummins. He is confident that at just 15, Sooryavanshi possesses the skills to challenge seasoned bowlers and should not be overlooked due to his age.

To make room for the prodigy in the team, Gavaskar suggested the possibility of resting existing players such as Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson. While acknowledging the challenges of selection, he emphasized the depth of talent on the Indian bench. Moreover, he noted the invaluable experience Sooryavanshi would gain by being part of the squad, even if not in the playing XI initially.

The veteran cricketer expressed that Sooryavanshi's ability to hit straight sixes with technical perfection defies the stereotype of a slogger. Gavaskar's admiration for the young batsman extended to his respectful demeanor, recalling a touching gesture when Sooryavanshi greeted him and Sanjay Bangar with traditional respect before a match.

(With inputs from agencies.)