Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Backed to Keep Playing at 15

Record‑Breaking Debut in Manchester

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his international debut in the second T20I against England in Manchester on Saturday, becoming India’s youngest cricketer at 15 years and 99 days. He entered the crease with a mixed bag of boundaries, scoring 14 runs off 10 balls and hitting two sixes. The teenage talent provided an attacking start that set the tone for India’s innings. His arrival marks a new milestone for the Indian cricket team.

Sivaramakrishnan Urges Consistent Playing Time

Former India leg‑spinner L. Sivaramakrishnan has warned against resting the youngster, saying regular game time will help Vaibhav learn, make mistakes and adapt to different conditions. Sivaramakrishnan, who himself debuted for India at 17 against the West Indies in 1983, believes the teen should be given ample chances in white‑ball cricket. He quoted in a PTI report that “there’s no point in blooding a youngster and giving him a break or resting him. He doesn’t need rest. He can keep playing right throughout the year.” He added that as a batter, Vaibhav does not need a bowler’s fitness, and long‑duration batting will sharpen his concentration. The veteran also stressed the importance of support from coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shreyas Iyer and the rest of the squad, urging that the player be backed even if early results are fleeting.

Why Continuous Exposure Is Crucial

Consistent exposure lets a young cricketer absorb the tempo of international cricket and develop mental stamina. Playing through good and bad phases builds resilience, a quality modern cricket values highly. The former spinner highlighted that Vaibhav’s natural aggression may lead to occasional failures, but that is part of risk‑taking in today’s game. Regular opportunities also allow the coaching staff to fine‑tune his technique without the pressure of immediate success. Over a full season, such experience proves more valuable than brief, isolated appearances.

Team’s Roadmap: Backing a 20‑Year Investment

Sivaramakrishnan described Vaibhav as “an investment for the next 20 years,” urging the board and playing eleven to treat his development as a long‑term project. Even when the teenager struggles, the response should be continued trust, not quick retreats. The emphasis is on preserving his attacking instincts rather than curtailing them with heavy instruction. With the coaching staff and captain standing firm, the young batter can evolve naturally while the team reaps the benefits of a homegrown talent pipeline. This approach ensures that India nurtures its next generation of cricketers without premature offsloading.