Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is targeted because others are jealous of his rise; “they will poke him more”

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Sri Lanka A NEW DELHI: Former India batsman Manoj Tiwary believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi needs to learn how to handle provocation on the field after his recent spat with Sri Lanka A players during the ongoing tri-series in Dambulla.The incident occurred after India A lost a Super Over thriller to Sri Lanka A on Monday. Television footage showed the 15-year-old pushing Sri Lankan spinner Vishen Halambage before senior player Niroshan Dickwella was bowled. Reports suggested that Halambage was wooing Sooryavanshi throughout the series. While the Sri Lankan player was sanctioned, the Indian youngster escaped punishment.Tiwary said the attention surrounding Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise means rival teams will try to unsettle him.“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi must understand a bit. There will always be verbal battles against us on the field because there are many countries who are jealous of us. So they will provoke you. The way Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s IPL campaign has been going and the way he is moving forward and getting everything, they will poke him even more. The way it is 5 years old, he is jealous.” we have to prepare him for that,” the former batsman said on Cricbuzz.

Different paths to success

Tiwary said Sooryavanshi now faces an important decision regarding the image he wants to create in world cricket.“It’s up to him what kind of image he wants to create in the cricketing world. One way is like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who are generally calm people, they respond through performances. The other way is like Virat Kohli, people who are aggressive. Now he has to decide how people want to perceive him. Anger is important, but it’s important to channel it in the right direction,” he continued.Tiwary also felt the controversy may have affected the youngster’s batting after he managed just 38 runs against Afghanistan A.“No one will take action against him for that, but he needs to realize what he has done. No one wants to see a rookie player involved in the push and shove. The more he plays, the more he will understand the behavior in the field. But under no circumstances should he deviate from the laws of the game. People are watching him and his behavior will be noted. He only scored 30-40, how should it affect him today,” so Tiy concluded.

Bahutule encourages the young man to learn

Indian spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, who has worked closely with Sooryavanshi at age-group level and with Rajasthan Royals, described the incident as unfortunate and encouraged the youngster to move on.“It was an unfortunate incident but we don’t know how it was provoked because I know him and Vaibhav is a very level-headed guy but I am sure there are experienced coaches there to guide him,” Bahutule told a press conference ahead of the second ODI between India and Afghanistan.“The Sri Lankan players should also be taught how to behave,” added Bahutule.The former Mumbai captain expressed his belief that the teenager will mature with experience.“He will learn, he is a young lad with a big responsibility to represent India. I am sure he will not repeat this and such incidents can be avoided,” Bahutule said.