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India captain Vaibhav Suryavanshi gets reality check vs South Africa U19 on leadership debut

Anurag Dasgupta

Vaibhav Suryavanshi departs cheaply on captaincy debut [Source: @RichKettle07/x.com] Vaibhav Suryavanshi departs cheaply on captaincy debut [Source: @RichKettle07/x.com]

It seems like the bowlers have finally found a chink in Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s armour as the Indian opener has been going through a rough patch against quality international bowlers. On his India Under-19 captaincy debut against South Africa, the 14-year-old batter was expected to deliver the goods, but once again, he departed cheaply.

Known for his slogging and excellent hand-eye coordination, the South African Under-19 pacer, JJ Basson, pitched a good length ball going away from Suryavanshi as the batter flashed hard and the outside-edge was taken safely by the keeper.

On a wicket that had some spice for the pacers, Vaibhav Suryavanshi had the task of negotiating the early storm, but the batter paid the price for a reckless shot as the South African pacer had the last laugh, and Suryavanshi failed on his captaincy debut game.

Suryavanshi going through a rough patch for India

While the explosive Indian opener has scored a truckload of runs against the minnows in recent times, he has failed to deliver the goods against quality bowlers. In the recently concluded Under-19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan, Suryavanshi was criticised for his blind slogging as the batter played a reckless shot in the finale and left India in a tricky situation, as the team lost the finale.

Similarly, against Sri Lanka A in the semis of the Under-19 Asia Cup, Suryavanshi couldn’t do much and departed for just 9 off 6 balls.

While he has done well in the Indian domestic circuit recently, the teenage sensation is yet to understand the crux of ODI cricket.

India in trouble as Suryavanshi gets out cheaply

With the injured Ayush Mhatre ruled out of the South Africa series, Suryavanshi was made the captain and he had a new opening partner in Aaron George. On a spicy wicket, George failed to leave his mark as he departed for 5 off 7, and Suryavanshi followed him soon as the star batter scored just 11 runs, and went back to the pavilion.

This has pushed India on the back-foot early in the innings as the team now aims to consolidate the innings.