Former explosive batter for the Indian team, Virender Sehwag, expressed admiration for the aggressive playing style of young player Vaibha Suryavanshi and advocated for him to be given more opportunities to play. Sehwag believes that the mindset of 15-year-old Vaibha is largely similar to his own, as both prefer to put pressure on bowlers from the very first ball.
He also stated that when determining a spot in the starting lineup, results should guide the decision, not age. Vaibha Suryavanshi has accumulated 246 runs with an average of 30.75 in his career in international T20 matches for India, with an average strike rate of 186.36. However, he has not been able to play in every match due to the presence of options in the squad such as Sandeep Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
During a discussion at the annual Pan-American Trade and Industry meeting on Saturday (October 10), Virender Sehwag shared his opinion on Vaibha Suryavanshi's batting. He noted: 'Suryavanshi is currently in his brilliant phase, and his mindset is somewhat similar to mine. He thinks about hitting big shots from the first ball. Now we need to see when he will be given a chance and how many matches he can play for India.'
Sehwag, who himself has earned 17253 international runs in his career, is known for his fearless batting. He believes that regular appearances will allow Vaibha Suryavanshi to gain experience in international cricket and advance his career.
Responding to discussions about Vaibha Suryavanshi's age, Sehwag clearly stated that age rules are necessary in age-group tournaments, but after entering the IPL (Indian Premier League) or international cricket, the player's performance matters much more. Citing examples of Virat Kohli and Vaibha, he said: 'Kohli plays at 38, and Vaibha Suryavanshi is 15. In that case, the result is what matters.'
The message of Virender Sehwag's comment is clear: young players should not be judged solely by their age. If they show good results at a high level, they should be given opportunities to prove their talent. The competition for a spot in the T20 India starting XI remains high, and in recent matches, priority has been given to Sandeep Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
Virender Sehwag also discussed preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in India. He praised Shubman Gill's play and emphasized the importance of fast bowling for India's victory. Sehwag stated: 'Jasprit Bumrah is the best among our fast bowlers. If our bowling attack remains strong in the World Cup, we can easily win the title.'
Former Indian all-rounder Robin Singh also highly rated Vaibha Suryavanshi's talent but advised him to remain patient while waiting for a spot in the team. He told the news agency: 'Suryavanshi has huge talent. If he has to wait his turn on the bench, it is not a problem. Other players have also shown very good play.'
According to Robin Singh, competition within the team is necessary because it motivates every player to perform their best. Thus, for Vaibha Suryavanshi, the challenge will not only be waiting for his turn but also utilizing every opportunity given to him.