Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Urged to Enhance Fielding Skills for National Selection

Fielding Concerns Highlighted by Kaif

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has emphasized the need for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to improve his fielding abilities as a prerequisite for selection to the senior national men’s cricket team. This observation was made following a recent match where Sooryavanshi’s misfielding contributed to a five-wicket defeat for the Rajasthan Royals against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

In the match, the Royals failed to defend a total of 193 runs, with Sooryavanshi’s misfields resulting in significant runs being conceded. Kaif noted the importance of fielding in the selection process, stating, “I believe scouts should also take a fielding test while scouting players. The scouts are bringing the right players; they are doing a great job, but I have not seen Vaibhav Sooryavanshi take a single catch yet.”

Kaif further elaborated on a specific incident during the match, where a catch was within Sooryavanshi’s reach. He explained, “The ball that came towards him was at a good height. I understand that when a batter plays a flick shot, it can sometimes be difficult to catch. However, the shot that Sahil Parakh played came to Sooryavanshi at an ideal height. He was in the right position to take the catch but missed the opportunity.”

Sooryavanshi’s Batting Ability

Despite concerns regarding his fielding, Sooryavanshi showcased his batting talent during the match, scoring an impressive 46 runs off just 21 balls before he was dismissed by a slower delivery from Madhav Tiwari. His performance in the power-play demonstrated his potential as a batsman, which has drawn favorable comparisons from former players.

Harbhajan Singh, a former Indian off-spinner, acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s batting prowess, outlining challenges for bowlers facing him. He commented, “Against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, my plan would be to get his wicket anyhow. The form he is in matters a lot. My strategy would involve bowling off-spin to keep the ball away from his hitting arc.”

Harbhajan added, “If he steps out of the crease and tries to hit me, that’s fine. But I wouldn’t want him to play his shots while standing in the crease. The type of batter he is at 15, hitting every bowler for sixes, is remarkable.” He concluded by stating, “I have played with many players, but I have never seen a batter like Sooryavanshi who dominates every bowler from ball one.”

These insights reflect the mixed evaluation of Sooryavanshi’s capabilities as he continues to develop his game in the competitive environment of Indian cricket.