NEW DELHI: India bowling coach Morne Morkel has made it clear that the team management will continue to back openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, despite growing calls for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make his international debut.Sooryavanshi has been one of the biggest talking points since being picked for India’s T20I squads against Ireland and England following his sensational IPL season. While Abhishek has scored a half-century and a 49 in his last three innings on the ongoing UK tour, Samson has struggled, managing scores of 5, 0 and 1.Even so, Morkel said the team believes in showing faith in players who have already delivered for India.“I think we just need to respect the fact that we’ve got the number one batter, or we had our number one batter in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma. You know, Sanju was the player of the World Cup,” Morkel said on the eve of the second T20I against England.“He (Samson) had a great IPL. So, I think as a coaching staff, it’s only fair to show faith and back your players. Yes, there’s a young man knocking on the door and it’s exciting. But I reckon for not just those two players at the top, but for the rest of the group, it’s a good sign that we show that we back you guys,” he said.
‘We don’t want to bat players out of position’
Morkel said selecting the playing XI is not simply about bringing in a new player. He stressed that the coaching staff also wants to avoid changing players’ batting positions.“In a day, it’s about putting performances on the board. That is the key. But we also don’t want to think too much and bat other players out of positions. So, I reckon it’s not straightforward, Ok, let’s play (Sooryavanshi).“It’s a matter of backing some of the guys who’ve won World Cups, who’ve done really well for you in tough situations, and then also from there, build and see how we can structure and make our top order as good as possible in these conditions,” he explained.
‘When he gets an opportunity, he’ll be ready’
Although Morkel did not reveal when Sooryavanshi could make his India debut, he praised the teenager for settling into the dressing room quickly.He also said the youngster has impressed everyone during training despite being only 15 years old.“I think he’s filled in very, very well. You know, I think if you follow the boys on Instagram, there’s already a lot of photos being posted, with him especially. At the nets as a 15-year-old at the international stage, it can be intimidating.“But, I think just the couple of nets we’ve had, it’s been very impressive. And, you know, we’re all excited to see how he goes. When he gets an opportunity, I’m pretty sure he’ll be ready. But in terms of coming into the squad and fitting in, it’s been very smooth,” he said.
Morkel praises Prince Yadav
The former South Africa fast bowler also had words of praise for young pacer Prince Yadav, who has taken six wickets in his first three international matches.Morkel revealed that he had worked with Prince during his time with the Lucknow Super Giants and had noticed his talent even then.“I was quite lucky to work with Prince while I was with Lucknow Super Giants. Prince at the time was a net bowler and there he was already marked as somebody who was highly skilled. I’m just blown away by how calm he keeps things.“I think he’s also a guy who is always looking for ways to improve his game. But at the end of the day, it’s about execution. If we talk about death bowling and that middle phase, how he reads the play, what decisions he makes under pressure and then executing that, for me, it’s great to see,” he noted.
Harshit Rana impresses after injury
Morkel also praised fast bowler Harshit Rana, saying it was encouraging to see him bowl with intensity after returning from an injury layoff.With the second T20I against England set to be played at Old Trafford, the India team management appears ready to continue backing its experienced players, while keeping a close eye on exciting youngsters like Sooryavanshi for future opportunities.
