India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has warned that the hype around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could hurt the 15-year-old's growth, urging fans to be patient as he waits for his first opportunity in the New Zealand T20I series.Too much hype can hurt Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's growth: Sitanshu Kotak (Reuters Photo) India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has urged fans to be patient with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, warning that the constant calls for the 15-year-old to be included in the playing XI could put unnecessary pressure on him at an early stage of his career.Sooryavanshi is yet to feature in India's ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, with the team management continuing to back Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order. His absence has sparked debate on social media, with fans keen to see the teenage batter get his first opportunity.With Ishan Kishan ruled out of the second T20I due to an adductor strain, Sooryavanshi could come into contention for a place in the side.
However, Kotak believes the youngster needs time to develop without the pressure of public expectations.Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Kotak praised the way the team management has handled Sooryavanshi despite the attention surrounding him. He also stressed that selection decisions cannot be based on popularity. "He is young, but the way the entire team management handles him is amazing.
I observe this neutrally. The public and social media love him because of his talent, and the team loves him too.
But you cannot make changes to the playing XI just because people like a player. He is highly talented and has a very bright future ahead.
Once he gets consistent opportunities and settles down, he will learn a lot," Kotak said.TOO MUCH NOT GOOD FOR SOORYAVANSHIThe batting coach said the repeated demands for Sooryavanshi's inclusion were not necessarily helping the teenager. At 15, he is still learning the demands of the game at the highest level, and Kotak believes the expectations surrounding him could make being left out harder to handle. "In the beginning, I felt there was a lot of hype suggesting 'he must play, he must play.' I genuinely felt that much hype is not good for a young player.
For a 15 or 16-year-old boy, hearing everyone say he must play and then not getting a spot can be tough on his mind. He is still very young.
While I cannot control the hype, it is sad," he said.Kotak also pointed out that the debate was unfair to India's other openers, especially when Samson and Abhishek have been doing well. He urged fans to consider whether the constant calls for Sooryavanshi to play were helping the youngster or simply adding to the noise around him."It is also unfair to other openers who are performing well when an environment is created questioning why they are playing instead.
People who understand cricket should think about whether this hype actually helps the player or if it is just created for the sake of it," he added.Kotak acknowledged that Sooryavanshi wants to play, but said the teenager understands why he has had to wait for his chance. The coach also praised his attitude in training, saying he had not complained about being left out."Now, he is much more mature.
He understands the dynamics. We all play cricket and see how players like Sanju and Abhishek are batting, meaning only 11 players can play.
He wants to play, and if I were in his place, I would want to play too. There is nothing wrong with that," Kotak said."He is a very simple boy, he has never complained, and his attitude remains excellent even when he is not playing.
He is working hard on his fielding, fitness, and batting, and he is constantly learning from the seniors," he added.SOORYAVANSHI NOT STRUGGLING IN NEW ZEALANDKotak also dismissed suggestions that Sooryavanshi was struggling to adjust to conditions in New Zealand. He said the teenager had his own way of preparing and that their conversations were about shot selection rather than changing his natural approach."Vaibhav has his own way of practicing.
I would not say he was struggling. He likes certain things and wants to attack in a specific way.
Obviously, the practice pitch, the bounce, and the match environment differ from place to place. My conversation with him was focused on the shots he can play when the ball moves from certain areas," he said.Kotak added that he did not want to curb Sooryavanshi's attacking instincts, but said there was room to discuss different options when the situation demanded it."His intent and the way he approaches the game are excellent.
I would not want to change that unless the situation absolutely demands it. He has immense ability and does not struggle; he simply discusses and decides which shots to play.
Some players play shots on merit, while others try to create shots regardless of where the ball is pitched."Vaibhav is the type of player who likes to dominate and play shots on his own terms. If we observe that he can do things differently in certain moments, we discuss it.
Otherwise, he is an unbelievable talent," the coach added.- Ends