Australia’s dynamic former all rounder Shane Watson was and still is a powerhouse cricketer. He has entertained and inspired legions of fans wherever he has played and has commanded a long and satisfying international career for a nation that had some really powerful and impactful players at that time, such as Michael Clarke, Mitch Johnson, George Bailey among others. Watson has, over the course of a long and distinguished career, seen several talents evolve and has even mentored many a youngster during his time playing various franchise leagues around the world, not just restricted to Asia.
So it’s perfectly natural and normal of him to hold an opinion on some of the current and distinguished youths playing the game just as it very natural for any media person to ask him for his opinion on some of the most talented and gifted batters and other names operating in the sport at the moment.
Now, interestingly just hours ago where he was present in the city of Mumbai, where he has played tons of international games and not just that; but even several contests in the IPL, he was asked a certain question about India’s rising cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The question that was asked was what would he steal from some of the cricketers out there and where it came to Sooryavanshi, then the sublime former cricketer had the following to say-
“From Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.. the power that he has got. Not just on the leg side but the straight. Also over to the off side, also to go with that Vaibhav’s fearless mindset. He has got no fear of getting out, which is something that I struggled with for a decent part of my career.”
That’s not all; Watson also complimented Shreyas Iyer’s ability to hit the ball with power over the off side. He’d share - “He doesn’t realise it’s such an incredible skill he possesses. He does it so effortlessly over mid off and over the covers."
Finally, he also lauded Jasprit Bumrah’s change of pace Yorker. Stating in no uncertain terms that, “I didn’t have that!”
That being said, it’s really heartening to see the massive regard and appreciation that someone like Shane Watson still has for a host of Indian talents and what’s incredible here to note is the fact that he’s himself a big name in international cricket having left an indelible mark on the sport thanks to his enormity of talent. Absolutely brilliant to note that, isn’t it?
