In a heartwarming gesture, VVS Laxman arranged for the India U19 team to attend Day 2 of the 2nd Test between India and England at Edgbaston, giving the young cricketers a front-row seat to a historic innings by their senior captain, Shubman Gill. The 24-year-old dazzled with a monumental 269 off 387 balls, guiding India to a towering 587-run total.
Among the most inspired was 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who called Gill his “role model” and expressed his dream of playing red-ball cricket for India. The young left-hander, already making waves in the Youth series, was visibly moved by the experience.
Learning from the Best: A Masterclass in Patience and Precision
India U19 coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar praised the initiative, crediting Laxman—head of the National Cricket Academy—for the idea.
“It’s a special occasion for any upcoming cricketer to be at a Test venue,” Kanitkar said in a BCCI video.
He emphasized that the biggest takeaway for the youngsters was understanding that Test cricket isn’t about hitting every ball for four or six, but about building an innings with discipline—something Gill exemplified.
The U19 squad erupted in applause when Gill reached his double century, a moment that will likely stay etched in their memories.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi: A Star in the Making
Suryavanshi, who has scored 179 runs in three Youth Tests so far (48, 45, and 86), is already being touted as one to watch.
“We got a lot of inspiration. Shubman Gill is a role model for us,” he said. “Everyone’s dream is to play red-ball cricket for their country.”
With India U19 leading the series 2–1, the exposure to a live Test match—especially one featuring a record-breaking knock—could be the spark that fuels the next generation of Indian cricket.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow cricketnewstimes on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
