Belfast, Northern Ireland:Indian team management is not yet sure about including Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the playing XI for the first T20I against Ireland. “The team management will not rush him (the 15-year-old) into the playing XI just on the basis of hype,” said batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.
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after his performances for the and for India A, but Kotak said selection decisions would be based on team requirements and not the anticipation surrounding his potential debut. The final call on the playing XI will be taken by captain Shreyas Iyer and the head coach.”
“There is no denying that Vaibhav is very talented. And the way he batted in the IPL and all the other games, there is no need to say that he has got a lot of natural abilities. In IPL, he has faced Jofra (Archer) and lots of quick experienced bowlers and it seems nothing is bothering him. He's obviously a special talent,” Kotak said at the press conference.
However, if selected Sooryavanshi will become the youngest cricketer to play an international match for India in both men’s and women’s cricket. "But we shouldn't give chances to the youngsters at the cost of guys who have already done well with their performances," Kotak added.
Tonight captain and head coach will decide about the team. And if he does, great. If he doesn't play also that is great because he is part of the Indian team. And I am sure he will get his due and opportunities. “So I don’t think we should drop someone who has been scoring runs just to give him an opportunity,” Kotak said.
Management helping Vaibhav settle quicklyThe batting coach, meanwhile, said management was looking at helping the youngster settle into the environment rather than treating him differently because of his age. He referred to the route through Under-19 and India A cricket as a structure that prepared players to make the jump to the senior side.
“I think the maturity, decision-making and intent of those who perform at this level will always be good at this level. More than that, he can act as freely as long as he feels like a part of the team, like in any other team. That's good enough.
“And with the BCCI system, the boys who come from Under-19 and India A more or less know the culture of the Indian team. So there is not a lot of difference to him. We were just telling him to take it all in. If he wants to ask or tell something he should do it. Gautam was telling him the same thing. “You just feel like you are playing for your own team and say whatever you want,” Kotak said.
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