“I would say that I was surprised”

Former India cricketer Saba Karim made a huge statement on Vaibhav Suryavanshi after the third T20I against England. The Men in Blue suffered a massive 125-run loss in Nottingham.

Suryavanshi was dismissed trying to pull a short ball off Jofra Archer, which he ended up gloving back to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. He managed to score just 13 runs off five balls. In the second game as well, he made 14 off 10 and was dismissed early on debut.

Saba Karim reckoned that he was not disappointed but rather surprised with Suryavanshi going too early for the pull. He remarked how the batter showed some maturity in the IPL 2026 season despite his attacking style of play and suggested that he could take some time in the middle before changing gears.

“Disappointment at this stage would be a tough word for Vaibhav Suryavanshi. But I think I would say that I was surprised. We did see some maturity in the IPL where he defended some deliveries. He has a good defensive technique. I feel he was too hasty in playing that shot (dismissal) here. I think he could have left that delivery, and he has done it in the IPL, where he has taken some time and then accelerated. So I was a bit surprised,” he said during a conversation on Star Sports’ show ‘Follow the Blues‘.

Suryavanshi will be keen to score more runs in the remaining two matches as India aim to level the series. While he has shown glimpses of his ability, he would be eager to create a significant impact.

Former India cricketer and coach all praise for 24-year-old pacer

In the same conversation, former India cricketer and coach Abhishek Nayar was all praise for 24-year-old pacer Prince Yadav. Coming into the side for the third T20I against England, Prince impressed once again with figures of 2/30 from four overs, picking the key wickets of Jos Buttler and Harry Brook.

Abhishek Nayar reckoned that the pacer built a trust within the team management and fans, proving his worth at the international level with his performances. Having done well in the IPL, domestic cricket, and risen through the ranks, Nayar opined that Prince would be content with what he has done so far.

“Prince will be happy and content. He did well in the IPL, did well for Delhi in domestic cricket. For someone who has been there for a while, played domestic cricket and come up the ranks, to get an opportunity where the team is not doing well, coming and bowling the tough overs, picking up wickets, and the effectiveness he had in his bowling, it shows that India has the bench strength and the bowlers. You give yourself the best opportunity and build that trust within the team management and fans that you can perform,” he said.

In two T20Is, the 24-year-old has bagged five wickets at an average of 10.40 and an economy rate of 6.50 with best figures of 3/22.