The Vaibhav Sooryavanshi phenomenon has crossed borders, with excitement in Ireland reaching fever pitch for the 15-year-old prodigy ahead of his debut for India in the upcoming T20I series against Ireland.Sooryavanshi, who has captured the imagination of cricket fans with his stellar performances in the IPL, is expected to break into the Indian senior team for the two-match series starting in Belfast on June 26. According to former India and Ireland cricketer MV Narasimha Rao, the buzz surrounding the teenager has sparked a rush for tickets, with fans from across Europe eager to witness the occasion.“I think they (local organizers) are going to have to put in more seats because this stadium (Stormont) only has 7,000 seats or something. People from other parts of Europe like Paris etc. have wanted to come and hopefully we can find a way to accommodate them,” Rao told PTI in Strabane, Ireland.The former all-rounder believes Suryavanshi could go down as a landmark moment for Irish cricket fans if he makes his debut.“So, I think if he makes his debut in Ireland it will go down in history and be a big day. It’s unexpected and it’s been really exciting here over the last ten days,” he added.
‘He is extraordinary’: Rao compares youngster’s style to Sobers
Rao, who played four Tests for India and later represented Ireland in the mid-1990s, feels the conditions in Belfast could suit the young left-hander.“He is phenomenal and great to watch, I saw him on TV during the IPL. He probably likes to bat because wickets are usually slow here and Ireland don’t have the same fast bowlers who are, you know, fast,” he said.However, Rao expected India to face tougher checks when traveling to the UK.“But once he goes to England, it will be a big test for him because the ball will move there and the weather will change even during the short duration of the T20s. But I wish him a good series,” he warned.The veteran coach also compared Suryavanshi’s batting style to West Indies legend Gary Sobers.“He reminds me a lot of – from the few games I’ve watched of Gary Sobers – high backswing and bat, coming straight up, and he’s very quick to the ball. He’s very versatile and can hit every snap in the game at such a young age,” he added.Despite the growing hype, Rao urged the teenager to stay grounded.“He has a God-given talent. But my word is – it’s like Sachin Tendulkar – He should have his head down and his feet on the ground. It will be a big test for him because he is a superstar now,” he said.
