Morne Morkel Outlines Care and Challenge Plan for Teen Cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Development Plan

India bowling coach Morne Morkel says he constantly challenges young batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to help him grow, even when the teenager does not make the playing eleven. Morkel noted that spending time in the team bus, dugout, and hotel with experienced players offers valuable learning. He pushes Sooryavanshi to observe how senior teammates handle tough pitches and set up their game plans.

Upcoming Matches

Morkel cannot confirm if Sooryavanshi will open in all five upcoming T20Is against the West Indies. Head coach Gautam Gambhir previously stated the teenager must wait for his chances. Sooryavanshi has played eight T20Is so far, scoring 246 runs at a strike rate of 186.16 and an average of 30.75. He has not yet played an international match in India, remaining on the bench during the recent T20I series against Afghanistan while Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened.

Squad Rotation

Regarding the opening slot, Morkel expects Gambhir to rotate the players. The team wants to assess how everyone feels after travel and jet lag following the Asian Games before finalizing their plans.

Context

Coaches often use non-playing periods for young athletes to study team routines and tactical preparation without the direct pressure of match performance. Integrating teenagers into senior squads is a common method to build long-term depth in international cricket.