Laxman flags fitness as priority for Sooryavanshi after Zimbabwe series success

Stand-in India head coach VVS Laxman has identified overall fitness as the critical area for improvement for 15-year-old batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The assessment follows a dominant T20I series against Zimbabwe, where Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs, including a match-winning 81 in the third game, to secure the Player of the Series award.

Laxman, who previously guided Sooryavanshi to Player of the Tournament honours at the Under-19 World Cup, emphasised that refining fitness is essential for the young opener’s long-term development. While praising the teenager’s commitment, the coach cited an incident during the third T20I in Harare where Sooryavanshi attempted to remain on the field despite an injury sustained while attempting a diving catch at deep square leg. It was the team physio who ultimately asked the teenager to leave the field.

The 15-year-old capped off the series with a brilliant 81 off 49 balls in the third T20I, guiding India to a 35-run victory and a 3-0 clean sweep. His 151 runs across the three matches made him the leading run-scorer of the series and earned him his first Player of the Series award. Laxman noted that Sooryavanshi’s eagerness to contribute was evident in his desire to stay on the field despite the injury.

Laxman has closely monitored Sooryavanshi’s development over the past year through his role as the BCCI’s Head of Cricket. The youngster flourished under his guidance during India’s victorious ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign earlier this year, finishing as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 439 runs.

Having already impressed during two seasons with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, the left-handed opener has once again showcased his ability on the international stage. Laxman’s message remains clear: refining fitness levels will be a vital part of Sooryavanshi’s journey as he looks to build on an already impressive start to his career.