‘Zyada soch mat’: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reveals coach’s message ahead of record-breaking knock in Tri-Series final

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has revealed how a timely chat with his coach helped him overcome a difficult phase and return to a devastating best in the Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla.The 15-year-old smashed a breathtaking 94 off just 29 balls, including the fastest List A half-century in history, off just 11 deliveries, as India A beat Sri Lanka A by 66 runs to lift the title.However, the record knock came after a lean run of the tournament and increasing scrutiny of his form and temper following an on-field altercation during India A’s previous encounter with Sri Lanka A.“When the runs were not coming, I sat down with Mr. Hrishi (Hrishikesh Kanitkar) to discuss a few things and he gave me a free hand to play freely,” Sooryavanshi told Sportstar after the final.“These conditions were a bit different, so initially it brought some problems. So I tried too hard but I wasn’t able to execute the plans. That’s when he told me, ‘tu apna natural game khel, zyada soch mat’ (you play your natural game and don’t think too much about anything else). That motivated me and I kept going and I’m glad it turned out well,” said the teenager.

‘There was no pressure on me’

When Sooryavanshi came into the clash at the top, he managed just 117 runs in four innings and struggled to convert starts on the slower surfaces in Sri Lanka.However, the left-hander insisted the pressure never crossed his mind despite the criticism surrounding him.“There was no pressure on me,” said Sooryavanshi. “When I walked out to bat, the idea was to deliver what I had planned in the first ten overs and then push it further. It worked . . .”His amazing strike effectively settled the match in the first ten overs. India A reached 132 in just nine overs before eventually posting 377/9. Sri Lanka A were then bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs.

Sri Lanka captain calls Sooryavanshi

Sri Lanka captain Sahan Arachchige admitted that Sooryavanshi’s blitz immediately put his side on the back foot.“Sooryavanshi played a brilliant innings. We managed the innings nicely but let it slip in the last two overs,” said Arachchige.“When we are chasing high scores, the top order can go down cheaply. It happens. The young guys played well, the seniors also scored. It was a good tournament,” he added.With India’s T20 debut looming later this month, Sooryavanshi’s latest masterclass served as yet another reminder that even in tough times, trusting his natural instincts remains his greatest strength.