New Delhi: India’s teenage batting star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi revealed how timely conversations with his coach helped him overcome a difficult phase and return to his best destructive form in the Tri-Test series final against Sri Lanka A at Dambulla.The 15-year-old smashed a stunning 94 off just 29 balls, including the fastest A-class half-century in just 11 balls, as India A beat Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to claim the title.But the knock on the record comes amid growing scrutiny over his form and temperament after a poor performance in the tournament following an on-field altercation between India A and Sri Lanka A in their last match.“When the run didn’t come, I sat down with Harishi [Hrishikesh Kanitkar] Sir discussed some things with me and he gave me the freedom to do my best,” Suryavanshi told Sportstar after the final.“The conditions were slightly different, so there were some challenges in the beginning. So, I tried too hard but couldn’t execute the plan. That’s when he told me, ‘tu apna natural game khel, zyada soch mat’ (You play your natural game and don’t think too much about other things). That motivated me and I continued to back myself and I’m happy that things are going well,” the teenager said.
“I have no pressure”
Going into the summit clash, Soriyavanshi had managed just 117 runs in four innings and struggled to convert on Sri Lanka’s slower surfaces.However, the southpaw insists that despite the criticism he has received, the pressure never crosses his mind.“I have no pressure,” Sooryavanshi said. “When I go out to bat, my mindset is to do what I planned in the first ten overs and then move on. It…”His stunning offense sealed the fight in the first ten rounds. India A scored 132 runs in just 9 overs and finished with 377/9. Sri Lanka A were then bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs.
Sri Lanka captain hails Sooryavanshi
sri lanka captain Sahan Alaqiq She admitted that Suryavanshi’s blitz immediately put his team in trouble.“Sooryavanshi played a great innings. We were good in that aspect but struggled in the last two overs,” Arachchige said.“When we go for big scores, the top order can come down cheaply. That does happen. The youngsters played well and the seniors also scored. It was a good game,” he added.India’s T20 debut is set to take place later this month and Sooryavanshi’s latest masterclass is yet another reminder that trusting his instincts, even in difficult times, remains his greatest strength.
