![Dravid vouches for Sooryavanshi's Test inclusion [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1787378885511_DravidvouchesforSooryavanshi'sTestinclusion.jpg?type=hq)
Dravid vouches for Sooryavanshi's Test inclusion [Source: AFP]
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may have already made his T20I debut for India, but experts are already vouching for his Test debut as the 15-year-old brings an X-factor to the Indian side. Sooryavanshi’s former Rajasthan Royals coach and India legend, Rahul Dravid, also echoes the same views on his student.
Dravid believes that while Sooryavanshi has had his breakthrough in the Indian T20I team and is gaining white-ball experience, his development in red-ball cricket shouldn’t stop, as the youngster could be India’s future in red-ball cricket.
Dravid bats for Sooryavanshi's Test inclusion
Speaking at an event in Dublin to unveil the ETPL tournament, Rahul Dravid batted for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in the Test team, as he wants the star player to go back to domestic cricket and hone his red-ball skills in order to play the game’s longest format.
"I think you always have to find that balance," Dravid told Cricinfo at an event in Dublin to unveil the ETPL, where he co-owns the franchise Dublin Guardians.
"And I think it's a great thing that Vaibhav is getting the experience of playing some white-ball cricket through the IPL in India, but he's also having the time to go back and play red-ball cricket in the Indian domestic system and grow his red-ball career.
Dravid urges management to show patience with Sooryavanshi
The former RR and India head coach, Dravid, stated that balance will be tested when Sooryavanshi steps onto the field for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026. Dravid asserted that an opportunity to play a red-ball tournament will be valuable for the youngster, but people need to show patience with him.
"The good thing is he's going to take some time, he's going to need some experience, he's going to get an opportunity to play a lot of red-ball cricket," Dravid said. "He's not played as much red-ball cricket as probably white-ball cricket.
"He's only 15 and I think you've got to just give him some time and you've got to be patient with him. He's obviously been such a success straightaway, right, but he's going to go through his ups and downs and I think people are going to have to be patient with him."
Sooryavanshi has had little red-ball experience so far
The 15-year-old has played a plethora of white-ball cricket, but the southpaw has yet to be tested in red-ball cricket, and that would be his biggest challenge.
So far, Sooryavanshi has played only eight first-class games, and the batter has scored 207 runs, with an average of 17.25. He has struggled in the game’s longest format, as clarity of thought has been missing from his game.
The Duleep Trophy should be of utmost importance for the youngster, as he would get an opportunity to test his skills in red-ball cricket. Moreover, if he does well in the Duleep Trophy, the batter can also be picked for the all-important India vs Australia unofficial Tests.
Why Dravid is spot on as he vouches for Sooryavanshi's inclusion
Sooryavanshi might not be the most technically sound batter, but he can very well prove to be India’s X-factor in this format. From 2002 to 2012, India utilised a certain Virender Sehwag as an opener in Tests, and he proved to be the difference-maker, as the batter used to rely heavily on his hand-eye coordination to terrorise the bowlers.
Sehwag used to score runs at a rapid pace at the top, and that same role could be given to Sooryavanshi if he makes it into the Indian Test team. He can be the chief aggressor who can take down the attack to demoralise them.
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