Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Farooq Engineer has urged the selectors to include 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi in India’s ODI squad ahead of the 2027 World Cup. He said that Suryavanshi should open the batting with former India captain Rohit Sharma, while Shubman Gill should come in at number 4.
Engineer made the comments after the Shreyas Iyer-led side’s 3-0 T20 series win over Zimbabwe. Vaibhav finished as the leading run-scorer with 151 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 196.10, which included a half-century off 19 balls and a match-winning innings of 81 runs off 49 balls. The left-hander also won the Player of the Series award.
Let them start with Vaibhav Suryavanshi – Farooq Engineer
Farooq Engineer suggests a new-look ODI batting order ahead of the 2027 World Cup. He said that to give the team a better left-right combination at the top, Vaibhav Suryavanshi should open with former India captain Rohit Sharma.
“The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Gill is a class player. I think Gill is the best batsman in the team right now. So Gill should come at number four,” Engineer told PTI.
“Gill is not someone who picks up the ball. So a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit is playing, and I think he should, let him open with Suryavanshi. A batsman like him is much better at opening because he gets big gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can come in at number three. Gill can come in at number four and then we have a solid batting line-up,” he said.
Suryavanshi has not made his ODI debut yet. This young player has scored 564 runs in 13 List A matches at an average of 43.38 and an excellent strike rate of 176.80.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi – Maybe this is the right time to draft Farooq Engineer
Farooq Engineer believes that Vaibhav Suryavanshi is ready for ODI cricket after a great start in international cricket. The former wicketkeeper said that Kishore has already shown the confidence and attacking ability required to succeed in the 50-over format.
“This is probably the right time to include Suryavanshi in India’s ODI team. I don’t know why people make so much difference between ODIs and T20s because for me, half-volley is half-volley. He is scoring runs and has got the confidence to open the innings.”
“He will win more matches for you than make you lose. When he gives such starts, other players can get time to consolidate the innings and make a big score.”
He will prove to be a tremendous asset for India – Farooq Engineer compares Vaibhav with Viv Richards
Engineer also advised India’s coaches not to overcomplicate the youth game. He compared Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s fearless batting with that of West Indies legend Viv Richards and urged the team management to let him play his natural game.
He said, “Anything that is a little short of length in Suryavanshi’s arc is going to be a six. He has learned from his mistakes and learned to control himself. But don’t try to over-train him. He is talented. Neither was Viv Richards. Viv was the best batsman I have ever seen play. Stay tuned to Suryavanshi. He will be a tremendous asset for India.”
He scored the joint slowest T20 half-century of his career.. The 15-year-old won both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards. At the age of 15 years and 121 days, he became the youngest male cricketer to win the Player of the Series award in international cricket.
Suryavanshi also became the youngest Indian to win the Player of the Match award in international cricket. He broke the old record of Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar won his first Player of the Match award at the age of 17 years and 112 days.