Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop believes that Rajasthan Royals (RR) player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready to represent India internationally.
Bishop suggests that a second-string India team should include the 15-year-old opener alongside fellow IPL stars like Prabhsimran Singh and Shubman Gill.
“You tell me if you disagree. I’m picking three openers in my squad. I want a left-right match-up as much as I can. Shubman Gill has been in good form, so I’ve gone with him. The left-hander is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. I think he is ready to take another step. And I’ve gone with Prabhsimran Singh. Priyansh Arya was in there as well, but I think Prabh has been in better form this season,” Bishop said on ESPNcricinfo.
Sooryavanshi has shown his ability to compete at the International level by facing top bowlers in the IPL. Notably, he hit a six off Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood on his very first ball against them. He is also competing for the Orange Cap in his first full IPL season, having scored 404 runs with a strike-rate of 237.64, the highest for players with over 300 runs this season.
It is reported that Sooryavanshi may be included in the India squad for a two-match T20I series in Ireland, ahead of a white-ball tour in England. If he plays, he will be the youngest player to represent India, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
Currently, Sooryavanshi is leading RR in their quest for a second IPL title, their first since 2008. Riyan Parag’s team is in fourth place with 12 points.