Former India batter Wasim Jaffer believes the Indian team management rushed teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into international cricket, arguing that the decision was influenced more by public excitement than by cricketing logic.Jaffer’s remarks came after India recalled Sanju Samson for the fifth and final T20I against England, dropping the 15-year-old opener after scores of 14, 13 and 15 in his three outings. Samson had started the series but was left out from the second game onwards to accommodate Sooryavanshi before returning for the series finale.“I think we rushed Vaibhav’s inclusion,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel. “There was a lot of media hype around him, and the public was very emotional about seeing him play. Otherwise, I had already said that India should have continued with Sanju Samson.”The former opener felt Sooryavanshi would have benefited from spending more time around the national setup before making his debut.“Vaibhav had to wait for his opportunity, and when that opportunity came, he could have taken it. He’s still very young, and he can learn a lot just by being around the team and watching cricket from the outside,” Jaffer said.
‘We got carried away by the hype’
Jaffer questioned India’s constant changes at the top of the order, saying the management appeared to react to the growing clamour surrounding the teenager.“It felt like we got carried away by the media hype. Every time Vaibhav didn’t play, there was a lot of discussion about it,” he said.“I just thought he should have been made to wait. If you were absolutely convinced that Sanju wasn’t in good form or wasn’t playing well, then you could have taken that decision. But eventually, it felt like you rushed Vaibhav into the team,” he added.Jaffer also expressed surprise over the handling of Samson, who was omitted from India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, while Sooryavanshi retained his place.“Then, after giving him three matches, you brought Sanju back. Sanju himself played only one match, and now he’s been left out of the Zimbabwe tour. Dropping him from the Zimbabwe tour also seemed a bit strange to me because I’m sure he would have wanted to play,” Jaffer said.“As it is, he only plays one format for India. He should be given regular opportunities. I’m sure Sanju Samson will be part of the plans for the next World Cup because he’s a match-winner. The way things unfolded really surprised me,” he added.
Yuvraj backs teenage prodigy
While Jaffer urged patience, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh expressed immense confidence in Sooryavanshi’s long-term future.Speaking to JioHotstar, Yuvraj compared the evolution of India’s fearless batters to the Terminator film franchise, describing Sooryavanshi as the latest and most advanced version after himself and his protégé Abhishek Sharma.“I always call myself a Terminator. Now there is Terminator 4, Abhishek Sharma, who is four times better than me. And after him comes Terminator 6, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has evolved even more,” Yuvraj said.The World Cup-winning all-rounder added that he would love to mentor the youngster in the future, believing Sooryavanshi has the potential to enjoy a long and successful international career despite his early setbacks.
