• Source:JND

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's wait for his India debut continued after the 15-year-old was once again left out of the playing XI for the first T20I against England at Chester-le-Street.

Despite growing excitement around the teenage batter, the Indian team management has continued to trust its World Cup-winning top order of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. However, cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar feels delaying Sooryavanshi's debut could make things tougher for him when he finally gets his chance.

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Why did Gavaskar warn India about delay in Sooryavanshi's debut?

Sooryavanshi earned his first India call-up after a remarkable Indian Premier League (IPL) season but is still waiting to make his international debut. He remained on the bench in both T20Is against Ireland and was again overlooked for the opening game against England. Gavaskar believes the longer the wait continues, the higher the expectations will become.

"It will put him (Sooryavanshi) under more pressure whenever he gets an opportunity," Gavaskar said on Sony Sports. "But at 15 years of age, you don't think too much about pressure. He knows that if he gets the opportunity in the second or third game, he will have to deliver almost immediately. That's there."

The former India captain also said being part of the senior squad at such a young age is a valuable experience for Sooryavanshi, who has the chance to learn from some of the country's best cricketers.

ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri Slams Shreyas Iyer, Gautam Gambhir For Benching Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Urges Immediate T20I Debut

"But he is happy to be around. This Indian team is full of lovely, tremendous players, and it is just fantastic for him to be learning from them," Gavaskar added.

India vs England 1st T20I washed out

India stuck with the same opening combination even after losing the T20I series in Ireland. The team management once again backed Samson, Abhishek and Kishan, asking Sooryavanshi to wait a little longer for his opportunity.

The first T20I against England eventually ended without a result after rain stopped play before England could begin their chase.

India recovered strongly after a poor start to finish on 189 for 7. The visitors were in early trouble at 6 for 2 inside the first two overs. Sanju Samson was dismissed after Tom Banton took an excellent catch at backward point off Saqib Mahmood, while Ishan Kishan was run out following a mix-up with Abhishek Sharma.

Abhishek then changed the momentum with a brilliant knock of 59 from just 24 balls. During his innings, the left-hander also became the fastest batter to hit 100 sixes in T20 internationals, reaching the landmark in only 785 deliveries.

Captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with a composed 68 off 47 balls before Shivam Dube finished strongly with an unbeaten 42 from 21 deliveries. Saqib Mahmood was England's best bowler, picking up three wickets for 33 runs.

England never got the chance to begin their innings as the drizzle that had interrupted India's batting became heavier after the break. The umpires waited for conditions to improve but eventually called off the match, forcing both teams to settle for a no result.


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