Former Indian opener and commentator Aakash Chopra advised the Indian team management to allow the teen batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to play in the Ranji Trophy if he doesn’t stand a chance of making it to the playing XI in India’s T20I side on the New Zealand tour.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Chopra reckoned that the team management is wasting a talent like Sooryavanshi by making him warm the bench. He went on to add that he would be better off playing the red-ball format in India.
“Yes, he should be released. I was also reading somewhere that if he is not playing, then at least let him go to school. He is only 15 years old. But jokes aside, the truth is that if he is not able to play continuously [for India], then he should be allowed to play Ranji Trophy. His cricketing talent is very good, but he is in his formative years. If he is not able to play first-class cricket, if he is not able to be a part of the Indian playing XI, then we are wasting his talent,” Chopra said.
Further, Chopra showered praise on Indian middle-order batter Naman Dhir, who scored an exceptional 42* off 15 balls with five fours and two sixes as he propelled India to a four-wicket win in 19.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
“Naman Dhir has stamped his authority with this innings. Even before this, the indications he gave were that he can play very well. He has a very good temperament, and he can finish matches with composure. If you make 42 runs in 15 balls in New Zealand, then you have to say that he has secured his place in the team,” he added.
