Morkel backs Sooryavanshi to learn even without game time

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'Even if he's not getting game time, he's still in the dugout': Morkel on Sooryavanshi cricket news image
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India bowling coach Morne Morkel believes 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can benefit from training and travelling with experienced India players, even if he does not play in the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies.

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Sooryavanshi was part of India’s Asian Games gold-medal-winning squad and played throughout the campaign in Nagoya, but he did not make a significant impact with the bat. India are due to begin a three-match T20I series against the West Indies on Tuesday, but Sooryavanshi’s place in the opening XI remains uncertain.

Morkel highlights the value of India’s team environment

Morkel said regular exposure to India’s training standards and senior players could help Sooryavanshi’s development, regardless of his playing time.

"We all know the talent of Vaibhav. The more time he spends in this environment with the quality players, the more time he trains at this standard, will only be great for his cricket," Morkel said at the pre-match press conference, as reported by the Times of India.

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Morkel added that time on the team bus, in the hotel and in the dugout gives a young player the chance to observe how experienced cricketers prepare and structure their innings.

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"With him sharing that sort of dressing room and talking to guys, or just actually watching how the guys go through their processes and how they set up innings, will be key for him," Morkel said.

India have not settled their opening combination

India’s management had not settled on the batting combination for the West Indies series opener when Morkel addressed the media.

Sooryavanshi opened with Abhishek Sharma during India’s Asian Games campaign, but Morkel did not confirm whether India would keep that pairing against the West Indies.

"We’ll work out tonight what is the best combination for us going into this series. Will they adapt, will they float, will they make any changes, I quite honestly can’t give that answer now," Morkel said.

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Morkel also stressed that young players must ask questions and watch the routines of established teammates. He said India’s support staff remained responsible for helping players learn and grow when their opportunities on the field were limited.

Asian Games travel could affect the selection call

India’s selection decision could also reflect the recent return of several players from the Asian Games in Nagoya. The management is monitoring travel fatigue and jet lag before the first T20I.

"Some of the guys only arrived a couple of days ago, so jet lag, getting over the journey. Once we are up and running and we get the series going, we are all really looking forward to it," Morkel said.

Morkel said India’s immediate objective remained winning matches while building a pool of players capable of stepping into the side. For Sooryavanshi, the series offers a chance to keep learning inside the senior environment, whether he plays in the XI or observes from the dugout and dressing room.