Lockie Ferguson calls 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi an "unreal talent" ahead of New Zealand tour

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson on Sunday described 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as an "unreal talent" ahead of India's five-match T20I series in New Zealand, which begins on October 22. Ferguson said he had faced Sooryavanshi in the IPL and was keen to test himself against the teenager.

Sooryavanshi has already reached the senior international stage despite his age, making his T20I debut against England in July and accumulating 246 runs in eight T20Is. His record includes two half-centuries, with a highest score of 81 against Zimbabwe; during that Zimbabwe series he became the youngest batter to score a half-century in men's T20Is with a 19-ball fifty and hit 81 off 49 balls in the third match as India completed a 3-0 sweep. Opportunities at international level have not been consistent, as he missed out on selection for India's playing XI in the opening T20I against West Indies earlier this month.

Reflecting on having faced Sooryavanshi in franchise cricket, Ferguson told reporters: “I played him in the IPL. He's proper talent. He's unreal talent. It's no surprise that he's been pushed into the Indian squad. I think he's done IPL back-to-back seasons and been exceptional.”

Ferguson added that he was looking forward to the challenge posed by New Zealand conditions and to bowling at the youngster, saying: “So yeah, looking forward to a challenge that comes with New Zealand. Obviously it's his first time here, I imagine. I'm not sure if he's played cricket here before. But yeah, it's going to be an awesome series.”

Ferguson has extensive IPL experience, having represented five franchises including Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans, which he cited when discussing his familiarity with Indian players. His background in the IPL contributes to his anticipation of facing Sooryavanshi at international level.

Selection for the New Zealand tour gives Sooryavanshi another opportunity to build on his early promise, while the different playing surfaces and conditions could present a new examination compared with those he has encountered in India and the IPL. For Sooryavanshi, converting his explosive batting in unfamiliar conditions will be an immediate task; Ferguson and other New Zealand pacers will be looking to test the teenager with pace and bounce.

The tour will feature five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests, with India set to begin the T20I leg against New Zealand on October 22.