India bowling coach Morne Morkel has urged teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to spend more time around the national team, saying greater exposure to the environment and training alongside established players can only benefit his development. Morkel’s comments came ahead of India’s opening T20I against West Indies, with the young batter facing competition for a place in the playing XI. Sooryavanshi was part of India’s gold-medal winning campaign at the Asian Games and featured in all of the team’s matches, but was unable to make a major impact with the bat. With India having several established options at the top of the order, his immediate involvement in the XI is not guaranteed. Morkel, however, stressed that remaining around the squad and learning from senior players is valuable even when a young cricketer is not selected for a particular match.

“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 during the pre-match press conference. The South African coach’s comments underline the importance India are placing on giving Sooryavanshi exposure to an international-level training environment. At a very young age, the batter has already made a rapid transition from domestic cricket to the national setup, and spending time alongside experienced international players can provide an opportunity to understand the demands of elite cricket. For Sooryavanshi, being part of the squad is therefore not limited to match opportunities. Training sessions, tactical discussions and interaction with senior players can also form an important part of his development as he adjusts to the standards expected at international level.

Sooryavanshi’s recent international experience came during India’s successful Asian Games campaign, where he was included in the squad and played all the matches. Although the team eventually secured the gold medal, the teenager was unable to translate his potential into substantial performances during the tournament. His presence in the side nevertheless gave him valuable exposure to a multi-sport event and international competition. At his age, the focus remains on gradual development rather than expecting him to immediately produce consistent performances against senior international attacks. Morkel’s comments suggest that the Indian team management sees long-term value in keeping the teenager within the wider setup, allowing him to learn from the experienced members of the squad while continuing to work on his own game.

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India’s opening combination for the West Indies series could also influence Sooryavanshi’s immediate opportunities. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are expected to be among the leading options to open the innings in the first T20I, leaving the teenager competing for a place in a batting unit that already contains established performers. Abhishek offers an aggressive left-handed option at the top, while Samson has extensive experience in T20 cricket and can also provide flexibility in the batting order. The selection situation means Sooryavanshi may have to wait for an opportunity even though he remains part of the squad. Rather than treating that as a setback, Morkel’s message was that the youngster can continue developing simply by remaining immersed in the team environment and training at the same intensity as the established players.

The attention surrounding Sooryavanshi is understandable given how quickly he has risen through Indian cricket. His emergence has generated considerable interest among fans and within the domestic system, but the transition from age-group and domestic cricket to the international level brings different challenges. Young batters must adapt to higher-quality bowling, greater tactical pressure and the demands of playing consistently against experienced opponents. The Indian coaching staff appears keen to give Sooryavanshi time to adjust rather than placing excessive pressure on him to deliver immediately. Regular interaction with senior players can also expose him to different approaches to preparation, match awareness and handling pressure. Morkel’s emphasis on training at international standards indicates that development within the squad is being viewed as an important part of the teenager’s progression.

For Sooryavanshi, the immediate challenge is therefore to make the most of every opportunity, whether it comes in the playing XI or through training and preparation with the team. His Asian Games experience has already given him a taste of international cricket, while the West Indies series offers another chance to learn within a senior setup. Morkel’s message is that patience and continued exposure can be as important as immediate selection for a young player. With India possessing several options in the top order, Sooryavanshi may have to compete for his opportunities while continuing to develop his skills. The coaching staff’s backing suggests that the teenager remains part of India’s broader plans, with his continued presence around the squad expected to contribute to his growth as an international cricketer.

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