'Don't look at his age': Sunil Gavaskar calls for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India debut

Former Indian Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar backed the ongoing IPL season's Orange Cap holder, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, for a T20I debut in the upcoming series against England.

“In T20 cricket, he is ready. I hope that he is selected for the T20 squad in England. After this performance, if you don’t give him a spot now, when will you give it to him?” said the legend while speaking on Sports Tak,"

“Don’t look at his age – he is hitting players with international experience twice his age into the stands. Just watch how he is playing, with no fear, how kids play in the gully. When you and I were kids, would we ever play defensive? Same way, Sooryavanshi is batting. I hope that this kid in his style of play never goes away,” Gavaskar added.

Earlier in the month, Sooryavanshi was selected for the One Day India A squad and will travel to Sri Lanka for a tri series that also features Afghanistan A.

The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener greeted Gavaskar by touching his feet during the pre-match show while the former Indian captain was on the field with Sanjay Banger and Jatin Sapru before Rajasthan Royals' Eliminator clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh on Wednesday.

Speaking to India Today later, Gavaskar disclosed what he spoke with the youngster.

"What I would say to him is exactly what I said to him yesterday when he came just before the match, and we were doing a show on the ground. When he came and he touched my feet and I, and all I said to him was, 'lage raho bete, lage raho,' and that is exactly what I would say if I was batting with him down the other end". 

Playing his second season, Sooryavanshi has broken several records after scoring 680 runs and 65 sixes so far in the ongoing IPL season.