Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wows onlookers in Ranchi with explosive net session

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may still be waiting for his chance to make an impact in India colours, but the 15-year-old continues to attract plenty of attention wherever he goes.

The teenage batting sensation was at the centre of attention during India's practice session ahead of the second T20I against the West Indies in Ranchi on Friday, repeatedly sending deliveries towards the boundary as he went through an intense net session.

With experienced opener Sanju Samson occupying the opening spot, Sooryavanshi remains in the wings for now. But the Bihar youngster offered another glimpse of the attacking strokeplay that has made him one of the most talked-about young batters in Indian cricket.

The sight of Sooryavanshi clearing the ropes repeatedly drew the attention of policemen, spectators and members of the media gathered around the nets, as reported by PTI. Every big shot was met with interest as the teenager continued to show little hesitation despite sharing the practice area with established India players.

SOORYAVANSHI TURNS HEADS

Sooryavanshi's explosive batting was one of the highlights of the session, with the teenager repeatedly finding the boundary and sending balls towards the stands and the sight-screen beside the press conference hall.

At just 15, he is already part of the conversation around India's future top-order combination. While his opportunity in the playing XI may not have arrived yet, sessions such as these continue to offer a glimpse of the fearless approach that has made him such an intriguing prospect.

For now, the Bihar youngster remains behind more experienced options such as Sanju Samson in the pecking order. But his ability to clear the ropes with such ease ensured that he was one of the most closely watched players during the practice session.

The attention around Sooryavanshi also reflects the growing expectations surrounding a teenager who has rapidly risen through the ranks. Every appearance around the senior India squad offers another chance for him to become familiar with the environment and learn alongside established international players.

KISHAN ENJOYS HOMECOMING

The session also featured a strong display from Ishan Kishan, with the local favourite lighting up the adjacent net with his trademark aggression.

Kishan, the Jharkhand captain who knows the JSCA International Stadium Complex well, spent considerable time taking on the spinners and sending several deliveries soaring into the stands. Ravi Bishnoi, Naman Dhir and Abhishek Sharma were among those bowling to him.

Kishan was batting alongside Samson, who initially opted for a more patient approach before opening up with some elegant strokes of his own.

For Kishan, Ranchi provides a familiar setting and plenty of reasons for confidence. He led Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title last year, producing a stunning 101 off 49 balls in the final against Haryana as his side secured a 69-run victory.

His presence in India's setup is also the result of an impressive comeback.

After losing his BCCI central contract and spending a prolonged period away from the national team following the late-2023 disciplinary and domestic-cricket controversy, Kishan returned to domestic cricket and used the season to rebuild his career.

His performances eventually earned him a return to India's T20 setup, and he went on to contribute to the team's World Cup campaign.

India will now turn their attention to the second T20I against the West Indies, with the Ranchi conditions offering another test for the visitors and another opportunity for the hosts to strengthen their winning run.

For Sooryavanshi, the match could once again be about watching and learning from the sidelines. But if Friday's practice session was any indication, the teenager is already making sure that he is impossible to overlook.