Agarkar Reveals Sooryavanshi ‘Forced’ India Selection with Explosive IPL Form

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earned his maiden senior India call-up for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England by leaving the selection committee with no viable alternative. The left-hander’s consistent excellence across two IPL seasons and dominant age-group performances effectively mandated his inclusion.

Agarkar lauded the teenager’s precocious talent and composure, expressing confidence that Sooryavanshi can translate his franchise-form to the international arena. While acknowledging the steep step-up in class, the chairman of selectors emphasized the youngster’s demonstrated temperament and technical foundation.

“Vaibhav’s performances – he almost forced us to pick him. I know he’s young, but two IPLs in a row, and we also know what he did at the Under-19 level…we can all see the kind of talent he has. We’re hopeful if and when he gets an opportunity, he shows the same ability. There will be tougher challenges but he has shown great promise and temperament. We’re all as hopeful as everyone is. He has picked himself through his own performances,” said Agarkar in a press conference.

Regarding the prospect of Sooryavanshi featuring in Test cricket, Agarkar counselled patience. He clarified that the selection is specific to the white-ball format where the batter has excelled, and insisted the board will not accelerate his red-ball development prematurely.

“Picked him for the format in which he has excelled. Red-ball, he’s a kid. Just starting his journey. When domestic season starts and he plays a bit of red-ball cricket, we’ll wait, why jump the gun? One step at a time,” said Agarkar.

India T20I squad for Ireland:

Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi.

India T20I squad for England:

Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi.

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