Vaibhav Sooryavanshi flying high, but England have plans to stop him: Sam Curran

Sam Curran praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fearless rise but said England are ready with plans to stop him, adding that handling the pressure of representing India will be the teenager's toughest challenge.

In Short

• Sam Curran said England have plans ready for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
• Curran warns the biggest test for Sooryavanshi could be handling expectations
• Sooryavanshi is yet to make his India debut on the UK tour

England all-rounder Sam Curran believes teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is enjoying the form of his life but insisted the hosts have drawn up plans to counter the Indian youngster ahead of the second T20I at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday, July 4.

Sooryavanshi, who has emerged as one of India's brightest young prospects after a stunning IPL campaign, could be in line for his T20I debut if India opt to make changes following the rain-hit series opener. Although the first match at Chester-le-Street ended in a no-result after India posted 189 for 7, the buzz around the 15-year-old has only continued to grow.

Curran acknowledged the challenge posed by Sooryavanshi but said English conditions could test the youngster in a different way.

"I think England will present a different challenge. The surfaces are very different and a lot slower than in India. As bowlers, we'll have our plans, of course, but I'm not saying they'll necessarily be the right plans. You never know because he's playing really well. He's so raw and is simply having the time of his life," Curran told reporters on the eve of the second T20I.

‘SOORYAVANSHI WILL HAVE HIS UPS AND DOWNS’

The left-arm seam-bowling all-rounder, who has extensive IPL experience, also said handling the intense spotlight that comes with representing India could prove to be Sooryavanshi's toughest examination.

"I've had the experience of playing in India, but I think being an Indian cricketer in India is on a completely different scale. That will probably be his biggest challenge, how he handles all the attention and expectations," Curran said.

The England star urged patience with the youngster despite the clamour surrounding him.

"He's only played one or two IPL seasons and is already in the Indian squad. I'm sure he has good people around him to help him through it, but you never really know until a player makes his debut and you see how he goes. Like everyone else, I'm sure he'll have his ups and downs," he added.

India have so far resisted the temptation to hand Sooryavanshi his maiden international cap, preferring to stick with the experienced top order in the opening game.

However, with Sanju Samson struggling for consistency and calls for the teenager's inclusion growing louder, the team management faces another selection dilemma ahead of the Manchester clash.

- Ends