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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the teenage batting prodigy, needs to improve his fielding abilities before he can play for the senior national men`s squad, according to former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif. Sooryavanshi was engaged in the field during the Rajasthan Royals` five-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
“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. If he wants to play for India, he needs to improve his fielding ability. He needs to pass that fielding test first.”
“Sooryavanshi did a great job by getting into the right position to take that catch, but he missed the opportunity to execute it. There was no need for Sooryavanshi to jump to take that catch. All he needed to do was take it near his waist, but he missed it. Vaibhav is really talented with the bat, no doubt about that, but when it comes to fielding, he is still not ready,” said Kaif on JioHotstar`s `Champions Waali Commentary`.
Harbhajan Singh impressed by Sooryavanshi`s batting
With the bat, Sooryavanshi was at his sparkling best in power-play and hit 46 off 21 balls before being undone by a slower ball from Madhav Tiwari. Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh explained the challenge of bowling to Sooryavanshi.
“Against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, my plan would be to get his wicket anyhow. But what kind of form he is in matters a lot. My plan would be to spin the ball and keep it away from his hitting arc.”If he steps out of the crease and tries to hit me, that`s okay. But I don`t want him to play his shots while standing in the crease. That would be my bowling plan. But the kind of batter he is, at the age of 15, he is hitting every bowler for a six.” Harbhajan said.
Rajasthan Royals and Sooryavanshi are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, despite their loss against Delhi Capitals in Delhi.
(With IANS input)
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