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'Research' key to slowing down Sooryavanshi & India

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Humphreys says it "will be cool" if he can be the first to take the international wicket of India's teenager star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

By David Mohan

BBC Sport NI journalist

Published 5 hours ago

A huge couple of days for Irish cricket beckon as India arrive at Stormont for two T20 internationals on Friday and Sunday [both 13:30 BST].

The world champions will face an Ireland side hit by injuries as Josh Little, Mark Adair, Paul Stirling, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy and Jordan Neill miss out.

Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondra have received their first Ireland call-ups and Reuben Wilson is included in the T20I squad for the first time after making his debut in the recent Test match against New Zealand.

However, it's the likelihood of an Indian debutant which is capturing the imagination, as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi looks set to make his international bow.

Nicknamed 'Baby Boss', Sooryavanshi will break Sachin Tendulkar's record for the youngest debutant for India and will also become the youngest ever player to make a debut in an international T20 among ICC full member countries if he features at Stormont.

The teenager earned his call-up following a remarkable campaign with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League [IPL], hitting 776 runs and an all-time record 65 sixes in a single season.

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Image caption,

Sooryavanshi his a record 65 sixes in one season in the Indian Premier League

Should Sooryavanshi get the nod to start, as anticipated, Matthew Humphreys will be one of Ireland's bowlers tasked with welcoming him to the international arena, and while he says it "would be cool" to be the first to take his wicket, taking on the best is something he is growing accustomed to.

"Opening the bowling, you're taking on the best guys in cricket," the 23-year-old told BBC Sport NI.

"The expectation [in T20I] is you're going to get hit for six, so there's less pressure on the bowler.

"Sooryavanshi has put his name out there as one of the most explosive guys at the top of the order and has taken some big names by hitting them for six in the IPL.

"It's about doing your research and working out a plan for him."

'It's cool to be part of this occasion' - Adair

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Image caption,

Ross Adair admits younger brother Mark's absence through injury is a "blow"

Ross Adair will also make a debut of sorts. While he has represented Ireland at home and abroad in the T20I format, this will be the first time he has done so at Stormont.

The 32-year-old is expected to lead Ireland's attack, and while his age profile differs from Sooryavanshi, he admits the Indian teenager is "one of those guys I'd like to be".

"He's no fear, doesn't care who he is batting against - he just wants to take everyone on, and India have given him the licence to do that," he said.

"It's a big occasion for them and for us, so it's cool to be a part of it."

One person who won't be part of this weekend's internationals is Adair's younger brother Mark, who is on the injury list.

His absence is a blow to Irish hopes and older brother Ross admits "he will be a big loss for us".

"We know how important he is with the ball and the bat," he said.

"Playing against these guys in such a big occasion with a full house, he would have stepped up to the mark.

"He will be here but whether he'll like being here with the occasion and what he's missing out on, he may not enjoy it as much."

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*   Published 8 June

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