NEW DELHI: Captain India Shreyas Iyer has thrown his weight behind teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, expressing confidence that the youngster has learned from his difficult introduction to international cricket and is ready to make a stronger impact.Speaking on the eve of the series opener in Harare, Iyer said he had no concerns about Sooryavanshi’s ability to recover after the 15-year-old endured a challenging tour of England.The teenager, who became India’s youngest international cricketer during the England series, managed only modest performances before being left out of the fifth match. Saint Samson returned to game XI.Despite the setback, Iyer believes the youngster used the break productively.“All the youngsters, I think, have definitely practiced. There was a decent gap after the T20 series. So he (Sooryavanshi) needs to be rectified where he went wrong. So personally, I’m not going to give much advice,” said Iyer.
Iyer urges fearless cricket
India enter the Zimbabwe series looking to bounce back from a disappointing white-ball tour of Ireland and England under Iyer’s captaincy.The skipper urged his young team to play with freedom rather than worrying about criticism or fear of failure.“I don’t think they should fear failure because when you have such thoughts in the back of your mind, then you play to save yourself. When you don’t have that fear, you can get the best of yourself,” Iyer had said.With India traveling straight from England and having just one practice session before the opening match, Iyer acknowledged the challenge but backed his side to adapt quickly.Reflecting on his own comeback from injury, the 31-year-old said overcoming setbacks had made him mentally stronger.“It made me more confident as an individual. When you overcome the injury phase, mentally it makes you very positive. Whatever challenge you face on the field, you know how quickly you can overcome it,” he said.
Sooryavanshi ready to go ahead
Sooryavanshi, meanwhile, admitted that the past four months have been an emotional roller coaster, but insisted that his confidence remains intact.“Yes, there have been many ups and downs in the last four months; it is a part of cricket that will continue to happen, but I have to follow the process and give my 100 percent for the team,” said the youngster. cc.tvHis omission from the final T20I against England had sparked criticism of the team management, with many former cricketers questioning the decision to drop the teenager after three innings.However, Sooryavanshi said the support of the coaching staff helped him regain his focus.“It’s an obvious thing that whatever I want (guidance, etc.), the coaches make it available and whatever practice I need I get it. I feel very good, there is also confidence,” he said.The Zimbabwe tour also has a special meaning for the youngster. It is at the same venue in Harare that he played in India’s triumphant Under-19 World Cup campaign earlier this year, smashing a breathtaking 175 from just 80 balls against England in the final.“It’s a very memorable ground for me. Just four months later, we played the U-19 World Cup Final and won, so a very special ground,” he said.Confident of the knowledge he gained during that tournament, Sooryavanshi said he hopes to use his familiarity with the conditions if he is selected for the T20I opener.“I support my practice that I have done so far and I will try to support my game … whatever contribution I can make for the team, I will try to give that,” he said.