The nets at the JSS Academy in Ranchi usually hum with the rhythmic thud of bats meeting balls, but on Wednesday, the sound was different. It was louder. More erratic. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old phenom, was let loose and he didn't hold back. While senior batters went through their structured routines, Sooryavanshi turned the session into a personal exhibition, sending deliveries deep into the stands and towards the sight screen near the press hall.
It’s a bold display for a teenager who hasn’t yet played a full India innings. But context matters. Sanju Samson managed just 11 runs in the opening T20I in Lucknow, a performance that left the selectors with a burning question: do they stick with the experienced batter, or trust the raw power of the Bihar lad? The crowd around the nets—police, media, and curious spectators—gathered thick and fast. Everyone wanted to see if the hype matched the hitting.
Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak refused to give a straight answer when asked if Sooryavanshi would play. "The team has not been decided yet, so I don’t know what the chances are. Everyone in the squad has a chance," he said. It’s a classic non-answer, but the message is clear: the door is open. For Sooryavanshi, this isn't just practice; it's an audition.
India holds a one-match lead in the five-match series after winning in Lucknow by eight wickets. The pressure is on to wrap up the series before the format resets. Friday’s match in Ranchi will decide if the experiment begins or if the status quo holds.