Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Asked To Be Fast-Tracked To India’s 2027 World Cup Squad

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had a brilliant series in Zimbabwe | PC- AFP

India recently whitewashed Zimbabwe in T20Is, where the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi headlined with his Player of the Series performances. The prodigal batter was fast-tracked to the shortest format, and now he is being advocated to play ODIs as well.

While opening the innings along with Abhishek Sharma, Sooryavanshi blasted an 18-ball half-century in the first game, before ending the tour with a 49-ball 81. 

In the IND vs ZIM 3rd T20I, the southpaw showcased his smartness as a cricketer by respecting the conditions and not playing in his default gung-ho fashion. 

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi asked to open in ODI, Gill at number 4

After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showed maturity in Zimbabwe, former Indian wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer has called on the team management to pick the teenager in the ODI set-up as well.

The legendary cricketer has asked for a rejig in the Indian batting order, advising Sooryavanshi and Rohit Sharma to open, while asking for Shubman Gill’s demotion to number 4. 

“The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four,” Farokh Engineer told PTI.

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"Gill is not a guy who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit is playing, and I think he should be playing, let him open with Sooryavanshi," the 88-year-old added. “A batsman like him (Sooryavanshi) is much better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can come third. Gill can come fourth and then we've got a solid batting line-up". 

Rohit Sharma remains India's firrst-choice ODI opener

As per India's current plans, the ODI vice-captain Shreyas Gill bats at number 4, while Gill opens the innings with Rohit Sharma. The BCCI is likely to stick to the same blueprint until the next ODI World Cup in 2027. 

The 39-year-old veteran was reportedly under a lot of pressure in the recently concluded ODI series in England, where he slammed a highly-applauded century at Lord's. However, Rohit is adamant that the marquee event in 2027 to be his last dance for India. 

Notably, the white-ball great has retired from Test and T20I formats. 

Shubman Gill vs Shreyas Iyer in numbers

Farokh Engineer’s suggestion is highly unlikely to be adopted by the team management, but just for a debate, let’s compare Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer on different metrics. That said, the Indian captain has played as an opener for most of his career, while his deputy plays as a middle-order batter. 

In 67 ODI matches for India, Gill has racked up 3379 runs at an average of 60.33, including nine centuries and 20 half-centuries. 

That said, he has never played an ODI in South Africa, but he averages just 18.50 after two Test matches in the country. 

On the flip side, Shreyas has been India’s solution for the never-ending problem at number 4 since Yuvraj Singh’s departure. The Mumbaikar made it his own, as he was a beast in the 2023 World Cup, scoring 530 runs in the tournament, featuring two centuries and three half-centuries. 

Overall, Iyer has notched 3136 runs in 82 ODIs, with 2000 runs coming at number 4. He has played seven ODI matches in South Africa, scoring just 154 runs at 25.66. 

(Shubman Gill vs Shreyas Iyer in ODIs)

The right-handed opener is blessed with a watertight technique and loves unleashing his horizontal play, which would be a great weapon in the South African conditions. 

Meanwhile, the middle order batter has a clear flaw in technique when it comes to facing quality short bowling. Even though he has worked on his weakness in recent times, the 31-year-old has a lot to prove before the next marquee event. 

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