India’s young standout, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, may have captured attention at the Asian Games, but his selection in the impending T20I series against West Indies remains uncertain. Despite this, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has sent a clear and encouraging message: even without consistent match play, exposure to a high-performance environment serves as a powerful tool for growth.
## Learning Beyond the Pitch
Morkel praised Sooryavanshi’s potential and emphasized the value of absorbing lessons from the team’s senior figures. At a press conference ahead of the three-match T20I series with West Indies, he noted that time spent training alongside experienced players—whether in the dressing room, dugout, on buses, or within hotel environments—is crucial. “The more time he spends in this environment with quality players… will only be great for his cricket,” he stated.
The 15-year-old rose to prominence after playing every match for India in Nagoya during the Asian Games gold-medal campaign—though with limited batting success.
## Developing When Not on the Field
Questioned about game-specific opportunities for Sooryavanshi in the upcoming series, Morkel kept India’s strategy open. “If he’s not getting that game time, he’s still on a bus, in the dugout, in the hotel with guys with a lot of experience.” He believes that simply observing how top players prepare for innings, handle pressure, and align their processes is foundational for young aspirants.
To support his growth, Morkel said it’s vital that young cricketers learn to ask questions, observe closely, and absorb mindset and technique from seasoned team members. This forms part of India’s broader mission to foster a talent pipeline equipped to compete at the highest level.
## Selection “Fluidity” & the Jet Lag Factor
India’s opening pairing in the series remains undecided. Sooryavanshi had started alongside Abhishek Sharma during the Asian Games, but Morkel refrained from confirming whether the same combination would be used in the West Indies series. Selection, he explained, will depend on what works best for each match.
Adding to the complexity is the team’s recent return from Nagoya. Many players have just landed after the Asian Games, bringing concerns about jet lag and travel fatigue. Morkel underscored that these factors will inform selection decisions ahead of Tuesday’s opener.
## Wider Vision: Building Depth
One of Morkel’s overarching goals is to help India cultivate a broader squad where players seamlessly step up when called upon. He reflected on how recent newcomers have seized their opportunities—and reinforced the need for a setup that gives more budding talent exposure to international standards.
For Sooryavanshi specifically, being part of this squad—regardless of match-day involvement—means:
– Observing match preparations in real time
– Building cricketing acumen through interaction and example
– Understanding tactical and technical discipline from veterans
As Morkel said, “Every moment spent around India’s experienced players is part of his development—whether it comes on the field or from the bus, dugout or dressing room.”
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