‘Zyada soch mat’. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reveals coach’s message ahead of record-breaking knock in Tri-Series final | Cricket News:
NEW DELHI: India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has revealed how a timely conversation with his coach helped him overcome a tough phase and return to his devastating best in the Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla.The 15-year-old smashed 94 off just 29 balls, including the fastest List A half-century in history off just 11 deliveries, as India A beat Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to lift the title.But the record-breaking knock came after a slow run in the tournament and increased scrutiny of his form and behavior following an on-field brawl in India A’s previous meeting with Sri Lanka A.“When the runs did not come, I sat with Hrishi [Hrishikesh Kanitkar] sir to discuss some things and he gave me a free hand to play freely,” Sooryavanshi told Sportstar after the final.“These conditions were a little different, so it posed some challenges at the beginning. So, I tried hard, but was not able to implement the plans. 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 anything).
“No pressure on me”
Coming into the summit clash, Sooryavanshi managed just 117 runs in four innings and struggled to convert starts on Sri Lanka’s slow surfaces.However, the left-hander insisted that pressure never entered his mind despite the criticism surrounding him.“There is no pressure on me,” says Sooryavanshi. “When I walked out to bat, the idea was to execute what I had planned for the first ten overs and then continue with it. It worked…”His amazing attack effectively settled the contest in the first ten overs. India A raced to 132 in just nine overs before posting 377/9. Sri Lanka A were then bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs.
The Sri Lankan captain praised Sooryavanshi
Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige admitted that Sooryavanshi’s blitz immediately put his side on the back foot.“Sooryavanshi played a good innings. We managed the innings well there but let it slip in the last two overs,” Arachchige said.“When we are chasing a big score, the top order can fall cheaply. It happens. The youngsters played well, the seniors also scored. It was a great tournament,” he added.With an introduction to the India T20 awaiting later this month, Sooryavanshi’s latest masterclass serves as yet another reminder that even during tough times, trusting his natural instincts remains his greatest strength.
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