India’s former wicketkeeper-batsman Engineer Farokh believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already done enough to earn an ODI call-up and wants the 15-year-old to open alongside him. Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The engineer feels that India should replace their batting order by changing it Shubman Gill pitch No. 4, allowing Sooryavanshi to partner Rohit at the top while Virat Kohli slots in the number 3. “The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four,” the Engineer told PTI. The former India star said the combination of a right-handed Rohit and left-handed Sooryavanshi provides the ideal balance in ODI cricket. “Gill is not a man who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So if Rohit is played, and I think he should be played, leave him open with Sooryavanshi. “A batsman like him (Sooryavanshi) is much better at opening because he finds bigger spaces in the field. Virat Kohli can come at third. Gill can come at fourth and then we have a solid batting line-up,” he said. The engineer’s observations come after Sooryavanshi enjoyed a breakthrough T20I series against Zimbabwe. The youngster finished as the top scorer with 151 runs, including two half-centuries, and was named Player of the Series as India completed a clean 3-0. According to the engineer, these performances are enough to accelerate the teenager in the plans of 50 years of India. “This is probably the right time to draft Sooryavanshi into India’s ODI side. I don’t know why people make such a distinction between ODIs and T20s because for me, a half-over is a half-over. He made runs and had the confidence to open the innings. “He will win more games for you than he loses. When he gives a start like this, the other players can have time to consolidate the innings and put a big point,” said the Engineer. While Sooryavanshi struggled during India’s T20I tour of England earlier this month, the Zimbabwe series showed his ability to adapt. He produced a measured 81 off 49 balls in the final T20I on a slow Harare surface after smashing a quick half-century in the series opener. The teenager also showed areas that still need improvement, including handling short-cut bowling, adapting quickly to overseas conditions and refining his shot selection. However, the Engineer urged India not to overwhelm the youngster with technical changes, insisting that his natural game is what makes him special. “Something that is a bit short of a length, in Sooryavanshi’s curve, it will go for a six. He learned from his mistakes, he learned to restrain himself. But don’t try to teach him. It is not from the MCC handbook, which is completely out of date. “He is a genius. Neither was Viv Richards. Viv was the best batsman I have ever seen play. But persevere with Sooryavanshi. He will be a tremendous asset for India,” he said. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, the engineer believes Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach and match-winning ability make him a player India should invest in now instead of waiting for the future.