Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer: believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has done enough to earn an ODI call-up and wants the 15-year-old to open alongside Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The engineer feels that India need to reshuffle their batting order through movement Shubman Gill to No. 4, which allowed Sooryavanshi to partner Rohit at the top while Virat Kohli: slots at no. 3. “The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a classy player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team right now. So, Gill should come at four,” Engineer told PTI. The former India star said the combination of a right-handed Rohit and left-handed Sooryavanshi would provide the ideal balance in ODI cricket. “Gill is not a lifter of the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit plays, and I think he should play, let him open with Sooryavanshi. “A batsman like him (Sooryavanshi) is better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli will be third. Gill will be fourth and then we will have a strong batting line-up,” he said. The engineer’s comments come after Sooryavanshi enjoyed a breakthrough T20I series against Zimbabwe. The youngster finished as the leading run-scorer with 151 runs, including two half-centuries, and was named Player of the Series as India completed a 3-0 clean sweep. According to Engineer, those performances are enough to speed up the teenager’s 50-over plans in India. “It might be the right time to draft Sooryavanshi in India’s ODI side. I don’t know why people are making so much difference between ODI and T20 because for me, a half volley is a half volley. He is running and he has the confidence to open the innings. “He can win more matches for you than you lose. If he starts like that, other players will have time to consolidate the innings and put up a big score,” said Engineer. While Sooryavanshi struggled in India’s T20I tour of England earlier this month, the Zimbabwe series showed his ability to adapt. He made a measured 81 off 49 balls in the final T20I on a slow surface in Harare after blasting a blistering half-century in the series opener. The teenager also showed areas that still need improvement, including handling short-pitched bowling, adapting quickly to overseas conditions and refining his shot selection. However, Engineer urged India not to burden the youngster with technical changes, insisting that his natural game is what makes him special. “Anything that’s a little short in height, on Sooryavanshi’s curve, goes to six. He learned from his mistakes, he learned to control himself. But don’t try to over-coach him. He is not from the MCC handbook, which is completely out of date. “He is a genius. Neither is Viv Richards. Viv is the best batsman I have ever seen play. But patience with Sooryavanshi. He will be a great asset for India,” he said. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, Engineer believes Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach and match-winning ability make him a player India should invest in now rather than waiting for the future.