'After Ireland loss, we need someone to make an impact straightaway' - Sunil Gavaskar wants Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to play 1st T20I vs England

Sunil Gavaskar advised the Indian team management to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his maiden international cap in the first T20I against England and explained how that could benefit the team.

After losing the T20I series to Ireland 0-2, Gavaskar believes that India need to get off to a flying start in the five-match T20I rubber against England. The former India opener stated that Sooryavanshi could give that kind of impetus to the Indian team as they look to make a strong comeback. However, the cricketer-turned-commentator admitted that getting the 15-year-old into the playing XI won't be easy as he have to replace either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson, who have done well for India for quite some time.

“I'm hoping he plays the first game because it will be the start of a new series and he gets the team off to a flying start. It's the best way to recover from the series loss against Ireland,” Gavaskar told reporters in an interaction organised by Sony Sports.

“How they fit him in is going to be a real tough one because both Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have done exceedingly well. You don't want to break a partnership which has given you good results," he added.

Gavaskar said that because Sooryavanshi didn't get a game in Ireland, England won't know what to expect from the Bihar batter. The element of surprise could work in India's favour, the 76-year-old feels. Gavaskar also praised Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for talking to Sooryavanshi and giving him useful advice.

“If I might say, more than a tactical (but) from a temperament point of view, because England doesn't know what to expect. Some of them would have watched the Ireland matches and got some idea how to bowl to some of the Indian batters. But Sooryavanshi was not played, so nobody has seen him. All that they have seen of him are his videos of his IPL performances. So (if) he gets going, he can take the game away and that is what India needs at this particular point of time, after this loss, for somebody to make an impact straight away," the former India captain said.

“We are seeing the senior players speaking with him in the dugout, which is a very good thing. Abhishek Sharma is his competitor as a left-handed batter, but the way he speaks about him, and the way Ishan Kishan speaks to him, it is a very encouraging sign. They know he is a kid who has perhaps more than 20 years of cricket ahead. They are guiding him," he added.

The legendary commentator asserted that Sooryavanshi can still learn while being a part of the squad, even if he doesn't get playing opportunities. Gavaskar mentioned that the grooming he will get from the senior players and coaching staff will do him a world of good.

“It's not always compulsory that you have to play, sitting out, you can learn a lot about the dressing room environment. To see how the established players train to take their game ahead, how they handle failure in the dressing room — all this is also to be learnt," Gavaskar said.

"I always believe temperament is more important than your technique and ability at the highest level. If you have a strong mindset to fight and overcome tough times, show patience to move forward… what we are seeing from the dugout, the grooming that he is getting will benefit him a lot," he added.