Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Farokh Engineer has backed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be part of the India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Sooryavanshi recently made his T20I debut against England but he is yet to make his debut in the 50-over format.
Engineer reckons the prodigy batter can open the innings with Rohit Sharma whereas captain Shubman Gill can bat at number four. Thus, Engineer wants Rohit Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill to be India’s top four batters in the ODI showpiece.
Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi returned with scores of 50, 20 and 81 in the three games against Zimbabwe. The youngster scored a total of 151 runs in three matches at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10 against the hosts.
“The ideal situation is Rohit Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (opening for India). Gill is a class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four,” Engineer told news agency PTI.
Engineer reckons opening will suit Sooryavanshi’s style of play in the ODI format.
“Gill is not a guy who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit is playing, and I think he should be playing, let him open with Sooryavanshi,” Engineer said.
“A batsman like him (Sooryavanshi) is much better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can come third. Gill can come fourth and then we’ve got a solid batting line-up,” he said.
“He’ll win more matches for you than lose you. When he gives a start like that, the other players can have time to consolidate the innings and put on a big score,” he added.
Sooryavanshi has played 13 List A matches, scoring 564 runs at an average of 43.38 and a strike rate of 176.80.
“This is probably the right time to draft Sooryavanshi into India’s ODI side. I don’t know why people distinguish so much between ODI and T20 because for me, a half-volley is a half-volley. He’s been getting runs and he’s got the confidence to open the innings,” Engineer said.
Sooryavanshi would look to carry the good form.
