Sooryavanshi has been named in India’s squad for the five-match series against New Zealand, beginning October 22.
New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson is looking forward to the challenge of bowling to 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the upcoming T20I series, saying it is “no surprise” the teenager has been pushed into the Indian squad. “I played him in the IPL. He’s proper talent. He’s unreal talent. It’s no surprise that he’s been pushed into the Indian squad.
I think he’s done IPL back-to-back seasons and been exceptional,” Ferguson told reporters on Sunday.
The 35-year-old has been part of the IPL for close to a decade, representing five teams, including former champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans, and said his experience of playing alongside and against Indian players has helped him understand their approach to the game.
But hosting them in New Zealand is going to be real awesome,” he said. “So yeah, looking forward to a challenge that comes with New Zealand. Obviously it’s his first time here, I imagine. I’m not sure if he’s played cricket here before. But yeah, it’s going to be an awesome series. “India’s unreal side, we know that.
His last appearance in the format was the 2023 World Cup semifinal against India in Mumbai.
On the evolution of bowling in T20 cricket, Ferguson said the format had influenced the game across formats, forcing bowlers to keep developing their skills. Ferguson is also set to return to New Zealand’s ODI set-up after three years, having been named in the squad for the fourth and fifth matches against India. “Love talking to the younger bowlers, see how they go about it and also try to learn off, you know, the older bowlers and guys who have done it for a long time when I travel the world. So keep trying to push my game forward. It’s all you can do. And take opportunities when they come your way.
