Harare, July 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s stand-in bowling coach Sunil Joshi has praised teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his explosive performance in the opening T20I against Zimbabwe, while revealing that efforts will also be made to develop the youngster’s bowling abilities.
Sooryavanshi smashed an 18-ball half-century in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club, becoming the youngest player to score a fifty in international cricket. His innings, featuring four fours and four sixes, helped India comfortably chase 126 with 40 balls to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Speaking ahead of the second T20I on Saturday, Joshi said the teenager’s focus should remain on his batting.
“Let’s focus on his batting. He’s been sensational and I’m glad he has done well. This is a hunting ground for him. He performed well in the U19 World Cup here and continued that form,” Joshi told reporters.
The former India spinner said Sooryavanshi’s bowling would also receive attention at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
“Whenever we get time, I’ll work with him on his bowling at the Centre of Excellence. Once we see progress, we’ll focus on it further,” he said.
Joshi also urged patience with emerging seam-bowling all-rounder Suryansh Shedge, saying comparisons with established players such as Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube were unfair.
“He is a rising talent. We have to persist with him. He’s working on the right areas, and that’s what we want in the T20 format,” Joshi said.
The coach also highlighted the bowling options available in the squad, including Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Harsh Dubey, adding that the emphasis remains on keeping things simple, building pressure through dot balls and sticking to the basics.
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