'He doesn't need a bowler's fitness' - L Sivaramakrishnan's advice to team management on handling Vaibhav Suryavanshi after India debut

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan urged the Indian team management to give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a long rope even if he doesn't do well in a few games, as he can be a key member of the national team setup for the next two decades.

Sooryavanshi, 15, became the youngest debutant for India when he played the second T20I between India and England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The southpaw hit two towering sixes before getting out for a 10-ball 14-run knock.

Sivaramakrishnan said that India should refrain from resting Sooryavanshi, as he is very young and, being a batter, he doesn't need the same level of fitness as a bowler. The cricketer-turned-commentator also mentioned that head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer, alongside the other players in the team, will have to give support to the young opener.

"He (Suryavanshi) should be given a fair amount of chances with white ball cricket and see how he performs. mean, there’s no point in blooding a youngster and giving him a break or resting him. He doesn’t need rest. He can keep playing right throughout the year. Especially as a batter, he doesn’t need a bowler’s fitness. And batting for long periods of time will also give him that concentration, the mental work that he can do for long periods of time," Sivaramakrishnan said via Sportstar.

"Once you decide to play him, you have got to give him ample opportunities. Remember, he is an investment for the next 20 years. I think what Vaibhav needs now is a lot of support from Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer and the rest of the players. Even if he does not do well in a few games, he should be backed," he added.

"He sure should get a chance at the upcoming 50 overs World Cup" - Laxman Sivaramakrishnan

Sivaramakrishnan said that if Sooryavanshi performs well in the T20 format, he should be picked in India's squad for the ODI World Cup as he can be a match-winner in white-ball cricket.

"He sure should get a chance at the upcoming 50 overs World Cup if he does exceedingly well in the T20 format. He should get an opportunity because he’s going to be a match-winner. When he scores runs, he’s going to be a match-winner in all formats of white-ball cricket," said Sivaramakrishnan (via the aforementioned source).

Sivaramakrishnan also wondered at what age Sooryavanshi could make his red-ball debut in international cricket. 

"I’m very happy that somebody has played for India at the age of 15. However, I’d like to see at what age he makes his Test debut. Because at the age of 15, 16, or 17, you’re kind of fearless."