Sanath Jayasuriya urges caution over rushing 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into India XI

On Sunday, former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya urged India not to rush 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into the national playing XI, speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Corporate World Cup.

Sooryavanshi was included in India's squad for the recent three-match T20I series against Afghanistan but did not play, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma retained as the opening pair. Jayasuriya described the teenager as "a different kind of talent" and added, "I think he's the future for India. He has a lot of time. So, give him the opportunity to do well and he will do well." Jayasuriya, who was one of Sri Lanka's key performers in their 1996 World Cup triumph, said the youngster should be given time to develop.

On Sooryavanshi's prospects, Jayasuriya said opportunities will arrive and the player must be ready to take them, stating: "Opportunities will come. I can't tell which position he will play, it depends. But when the opportunity comes, he will grab them. So, let's wait and see." He declined to assess selection decisions, adding, "I can't comment on the selection and the batting line-ups. I think he is highly talented."

Jayasuriya also pointed to the depth of competition within India, noting that current openers will need to keep their performances up. He said: "The individual cricketers have individual talents and they work hard at practice and training. In India, there are always players ready to take their place and perform. The competition is so high."

Turning to the broader standard of Indian cricket, Jayasuriya emphasised the demands of multi-format schedules and the passion of players, saying: "India has a high standard of cricket. They play all the games - ODIs, T20s, and Tests. When you play all three formats of the game, it's not easy. In India, they have that high level of passion to play for the country. So, that's why most of the players are doing well and they want to represent the country."

Addressing the Corporate World Cup itself, Jayasuriya highlighted the tournament's role in providing playing opportunities beyond the IPL and state systems, observing: "When you play in all the cities across India, there are corporate players, who have the opportunity and want to do well, wanting to show that some individuals are capable of representing the country. There are so many players who haven't gotten the opportunity during the IPL, so, they get these opportunities. So, the players who are in the corporate sector and haven't gotten the opportunity to play at the club, other levels, or state levels they get the opportunity to come and play here."

He concluded by endorsing the tournament's value to the domestic pathway, saying: "So that's why, I think this is going to be good for Indian cricket," at the launch of the Corporate World Cup.