“We tried to do as much research as we could about him.” Lorcan Tucker stunned by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hype |: Cricket News:
NEW DELHI: Ireland captain: Lorcan Tucker marveled at the anticipation surrounding India’s 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the upcoming T20I series, calling his rise “quite remarkable” for the modern professional era.“It’s unbelievable for them to have a 15-year-old kid on their team,” Tucker said in Thursday’s pre-match press conference.“I never thought that would be possible in this professional era of the game, especially with the amount of work that goes into professional cricket and the standard of players. So, credit to him – he’s a special player,” he said.Tucker also highlighted the wider excitement generated by the youth’s emergence, particularly in Ireland’s large Indian community.“We have a huge Indian community in Ireland that I know is very willing to watch this game, and they will see Vaibhav. That’s most of the hype here, about him making his debut in this series,” he added.Considering Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise, Tucker added. “He’s obviously an absolutely incredible talent. We’ve tried to do as much research as we can on him. I think he’s blown the IPL, the incredible hitting of 75 sixes or whatever it is, like the skill level there is absolutely incredible.”He further emphasized the wider impact of the adolescent’s emergence on the sport.“It gives the game something to talk about. It’s really exciting. The energy like that coming to a series is amazing not only for us, but for the people who come to watch, for the people watching at home, and for those kids playing in the corner,” he said.Tucker also credits Sooryavanshi’s role as a global upsurge in the play.“While we try to be role models for Irish players, I think it’s the responsibility, I think, of all players around the world to be role models. So I know Vaibhav is just a boy, but he is an amazing player, and he is a special role model for cricketers around the world today and kids to come,” he added.
Ireland are preparing for a “baptism of fire” against India
Turning to the series itself, Tucker admitted that his side faced a serious challenge against the reigning T20 World Cup holders, especially with an injury-hit bowling attack.“I think it’s a bit of a baptism by fire, and it’s a tough challenge at first,” he said. “But I think just trusting that at the end of the day, it’s a game of cricket… Although the Indian players are incredible, they also have a lot of pressure on them.”Ireland were forced into changes, with Reuben Wilson, Matthew Hollard, and Jai Moondra leading the way for injured pacers Mark Adair, Josh Little, and Barry McCarthy. Tucker is backing Moondra to make an impact despite his lack of experience.“He’s shown real skill with the new ball… He’s got all the skills,” he said.Looking ahead, Tucker stressed that early bursts will be crucial if Ireland are to challenge India’s aggressive batting unit.“We know they’re a strong lineup … they’re going to go all out attacking. The pitch should probably be a little slower than what they’re used to. So hopefully, that will make the difference for us,” he said.
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