Former India wicketkeeper suggests Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to open with Rohit Sharma
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer has suggested a change in India’s batting order for One Day Internationals (ODIs), proposing that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old, should open alongside Rohit Sharma. Engineer believes that Shubman Gill, currently an opener, should move to the No. 4 position, with Virat Kohli batting at No. 3.
Engineer highlighted that Shubman Gill is a top-class player and, in his opinion, the best batsman in the team. He stated that a left-right batting combination would be ideal in ODIs, making Sooryavanshi an appropriate partner for Rohit Sharma. Engineer noted that Sooryavanshi’s ability to find gaps in the field makes him well-suited for an opening role.
Sooryavanshi’s Recent Performances and Potential
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s recent performances, particularly in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, have led to calls for his inclusion in the ODI squad. He was the leading run-scorer in the series with 151 runs, including two half-centuries, and earned the Player of the Series award as India secured a 3-0 clean sweep. Engineer views these performances as sufficient to fast-track the teenager into India’s 50-over plans.
Engineer dismissed the distinction between ODI and T20 formats, suggesting that strong performances in one format should translate to opportunities in the other. He believes Sooryavanshi’s confident approach to opening the innings and his ability to provide strong starts could allow other players to consolidate and build large scores.
During India’s T20I tour of England, Sooryavanshi faced challenges, but he demonstrated adaptability in the Zimbabwe series. He scored a rapid half-century in the series opener and a measured 81 runs off 49 balls in the final T20I on a slow Harare surface. While acknowledging areas for improvement, such as handling short-pitched bowling and adapting to overseas conditions, Engineer cautioned against over-coaching, emphasizing the importance of preserving Sooryavanshi’s natural game.
Engineer expressed confidence in Sooryavanshi’s potential, comparing him to cricketing legends and advocating for investment in his talent ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. He believes Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach and match-winning capabilities would make him a valuable asset for India.
Alternative Views on Sooryavanshi’s Fast-Tracking
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, some opinions suggest that fast-tracking him into the ODI team might not be necessary at this stage. Former cricket administrator Makarand Waingankar, however, urged the BCCI and the Indian team management to accelerate Sooryavanshi’s entry into the ODI setup to allow him ample preparation time for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Waingankar compared Sooryavanshi to Sanath Jayasuriya, noting his ability to impact top-quality bowlers.
Sooryavanshi gained prominence after scoring his maiden IPL century for Rajasthan Royals in 2025 and later helped India U-19 win the U19 World Cup in 2026. In his second IPL season with Rajasthan Royals, he became the youngest player to win the Orange Cap as the highest run-scorer. He made his India debut during the UK tour against England, though he did not make a significant impact in those matches.
One perspective suggests that the current opening pair of captain Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma is well-established and performing effectively, likely to continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup. This view also highlights Yashasvi Jaiswal as a potential long-term replacement for Sharma, citing his strong performances in the 50-over format, including a century against Afghanistan.
Another point of view is that Sooryavanshi needs to gain more experience in longer formats at the domestic level, such as the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy, before being rushed into international ODIs. He has played seven international T20I matches for India against England and Zimbabwe.
It is also suggested that Sooryavanshi should focus on establishing himself in T20Is before aiming for a spot in the ODI team. The 2027 ODI World Cup is considered a distant goal for the youngster at this point.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
