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Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should only be considered for India’s T20I playing XI if he gets opportunities on a tour like Zimbabwe, where regular openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are unlikely to feature. According to Ashwin, there is currently no reason to break up India’s established opening pair.
Sooryavanshi is close to creating history as he looks to become the youngest player to make his India debut, surpassing the record jointly associated with Shafali Verma and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar. However, the youngster had to wait for his chance after being left out of the playing XI for the first T20I against Ireland. The team management instead stayed with the T20 World Cup-winning opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
Samson failed to make a big contribution in the series opener in Belfast, leading to calls from several former cricketers and fans for Sooryavanshi to be included in the second T20I at the same venue on Sunday, June 28.
Despite that, Ashwin feels India should continue backing the current opening pair.
“There is no place for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi right now. If he has to play, then selectors should send him to the Zimbabwe tour, where these incumbent openers will not be there.
“But it seems difficult. Sanju Samson isn’t in the Test or ODI teams and the same goes for Abhishek Sharma. Earlier, one player used to play in all three formats. This is the ODI cricket World Cup preparation year and if the T20 cricketers don’t get a chance, then where will they play?”
Ashwin also said Sooryavanshi has done enough to deserve a place in the national side, but not by replacing players who have already earned their spots.
“So it isn’t fair. Whatever happened, it was right. On merit, Vaibhav Sooryvanshi demands a place. But then not at the cost of the incumbent openers. Purely, if you have to make a place for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, it should come in case of loss of form or an injury replacement.”