'Let Sooryavanshi open with Rohit': Ex-cricketer wants Gill to bat at No.4
Former cricketer Farokh Engineer has suggested that 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be fast-tracked into India's ODI squad. He proposes a batting lineup reshuffle that moves Shubman Gill to No. 4 to accommodate Sooryavanshi as an opening partner for Rohit Sharma.
Why it matters
The proposal highlights the ongoing debate regarding India's long-term strategy for the 2027 World Cup and the integration of young talent into the national setup.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already done enough to earn an ODI call-up and wants the 15-year-old to open alongside Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Engineer feels India should reshuffle their batting order by moving Shubman Gill to No. 4, allowing Sooryavanshi to partner Rohit at the top while Virat Kohli slots in at No. 3. “The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four,” Engineer told PTI. The former India star said the combination of a right-handed Rohit and left-handed Sooryavanshi would provide the ideal balance in ODI cricket. “Gill is not a guy who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs.
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