Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to open with Rohit Sharma in ODIs, Gill in 4: Former India star
Former India batsman Farokh Engineer has thrown his weight behind teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in India’s ODI squad, saying the 15-year-old should open alongside Rohit Sharma in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup. Engineer also suggested a major change in the batting order, suggesting Shubman Gill should move down to No.4 despite his success as an opener.
Sooryavanshi’s stock continued to rise after an unforgettable tour of Zimbabwewhere he was named player of the series after scoring 151 runs in three matches, including two half-centuries. His performances have sparked talk of a potential promotion to India’s over-50 side and Engineer believes the youngster has already shown enough to deserve the opportunity.
Speaking to PTI, the former India cricketer said that Gill’s quality will allow him to flourish in the middle order, while Sooryavanshi’s attacking style makes him an ideal partner for Rohit.
“The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a first-class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So Gill should come at four.”
The engineer explained that the Indian batting order would benefit from a left-to-right opening combination.
“Gill is not a lift-the-ball guy. So a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So if Rohit plays, and I think he should, let Sooryavanshi open.”
“A batsman like him (Sooryavanshi) is much better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can be number three. Gill can be number four and then we have a solid batting line-up.”
DOES VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI DESERVE AN ODI CALL UP?
The engineer said there was no reason to delay Sooryavanshi’s introduction to the ODI set-up and claimed that the youngster’s fearless approach would transfer seamlessly from T20 cricket.
“This is probably the right time for Sooryavanshi to come into the Indian ODI side. I don’t know why people make so much difference between ODIs and T20s because for me a half volley is a half volley. He gets the runs and has the confidence to open the innings.”
He also encouraged the teenager’s aggressive mindset, saying the rewards outweigh the occasional failure.
“He’ll win more games for you than he’ll lose you. When he starts like that, other players can have time to consolidate their innings and put up big scores.”
“DO NOT SKIP THE GENIUS”
The engineer urged the Indian team management to allow Sooryavanshi to play naturally instead of burdening him with technical changes, comparing the youngster’s instinctive batting to that of West Indian great Viv Richards.
“Anything a little short in Sooryavanshi’s arc will get a six. He’s learned from his mistakes, he’s learned to tame himself. But don’t try to overtrain him. He’s not from the MCC playbook, which is completely out of date.”
“He is a genius. Neither is Viv Richards. Viv was the best batsman I have ever seen play. But hang on Sooryavanshi. He will be a tremendous asset to India.”
The engineer believes India’s ODI set-up should start preparing for the future well in advance of the 2027 FIFA World Cup, with Sooryavanshi’s explosiveness able to give the side a new dimension at the top of the order while allowing Gill to strengthen the middle order.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
27 Jul 2026 11:55 IST