Chennai: Among the fast-growing list of Vaibhav Suryavanshi admirers are former Australia players Michael Hussey and James Hopes, currently on coaching duties in the IPL.
Chennai Super Kings batting coach Hussey reserved high praise for Vaibhav, saying that the 14-year-old pocket dynamite brought back memories of legendary Adam Gilchrist’s thrill-a-minute performances. “It was incredible, was it not? There are some of these players who come along and when they are batting in the middle, you do not want to miss a ball,” said Hussey on Tuesday.
“When Gilchrist walked out to bat, the whole Australian team would come to the viewing area to watch the game, because such players are just so exciting. I felt the same watching this young kid. Seeing him score a century off 30-odd balls was amazing to watch,” added Hussey.
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Hussey is “blown away” by Vaibhav’s enviable ability to go after the bowlers without dwelling on their reputation. On Monday, the youngster took the India internationals, including veteran Ishant Sharma, to the cleaners during his jaw-dropping knock.
“Him and Yashasvi Jaiswal batting together was breathtaking. It is reckless at times, but it is so exciting to watch. To be able to play like that, against some of the best bowlers, it just blows your mind,” said Hussey, warning that Vaibhav should be surrounded by the right people to move in the right direction. “His life and world have changed forever now. He is going to be on such a high probably for weeks or months. He will need good people around him to guide him. He is very lucky to have Rahul Dravid (RR head coach) and some good senior players.”
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Punjab fast-bowling coach Hopes hailed the fearlessness of ‘Gen Z’ batters. “It was hard to take my eyes off it. These kids in general play a different game. They come up against the Kohlis and Dhonis of the world but they do not have any fear. Indian cricket is well placed, especially in the white-ball formats,” said Hopes, adding, “We do have such talent in Australia, but they do not get exposed at a young age like they do here. We do not have as many teams. We have only six domestic teams.”
