Sairaj Bahutule, the spin bowling coach of the senior Indian team, has backed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the wake of the heated scenes that unfolded during India ‘A’s tri-series clash against Sri Lanka ‘A’ on Monday.
Bahutule, who is currently in Lucknow with the senior side for the ODI series against Afghanistan, said he does not believe the 15-year-old is the kind of player who would lose his composure without provocation.
His comments come after India ‘A’ were beaten in a Super Over, following which tempers flared between players from both sides, leading to a brief but intense exchange involving shoving before the situation was eventually brought under control.
“I think it was an unfortunate incident, but we don’t know how it was provoked. The way I know Vaibhav, he is a very composed boy,” Bahutule said on the eve of the second ODI.
The former leg-spinner did admit that the youngster, who has taken the cricket world by storm after his exploits against pedigreed bowlers in the Indian Premier League, needs some guidance on how to stay calm under duress.
“There are experienced coaches around him who will explain it to him. We will make sure that information is given to him as to why that happened. But he will learn. He is a young kid with a lot of responsibilities and is obviously representing India. I think some sort of understanding will be there, and I’m sure he will not repeat it,” Bahutule said.
After the game in question, Sooryavanshi and Sri Lanka A’s Vishen Halambage were seen engaged in a heated conversation, which led to physical contact before wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella stepped in to defuse the situation. Halambage and his teammate Wanuja Sahan were apparently having words with dismissed Indian batters, with Suryansh Shedge one of the targets.
Bahutule felt the Sri Lankans should also introspect about their conduct on the field.
“Sri Lankan players should also be educated in terms of how we need to behave, and so it goes with us. Such incidents can be avoided,” he added.
Sooryavanshi is being touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, and with fame and fan following comes increased attention on his conduct on and off the field, especially as he is in line to be included in the national T20 squad for the upcoming tours to Ireland and England.
