Harare: India’s interim head coach VVS Laxman has been impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s temperament, saying the teenager’s understanding of the game and ability to handle pressure situations have improved significantly in the last six months.

The 15-year-old batting sensation ended India’s tour of Zimbabwe on a high, winning both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards after India secured a 3-0 T20I series sweep with a 35-run victory in the final match on Sunday.

"What is really impressive is the way he's evolved as a person. The maturity level, the understanding, and the awareness over the last six months has actually skyrocketed. And that's why he's been able to handle tough situations," said Laxman, during the post-match press conference.

Also read: 'Tears come automatically...': Mirabai Chanu gets emotional after record third CWG gold  

Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs in three innings at an average of 50.33 during the series, with his impressive knock of 81 runs in the final T20I setting up India’s victory.

The performance marked a strong comeback for the youngster after a difficult debut T20I series against England, where he managed scores of 13, 14 and 15 before being left out of the fifth and final match as India suffered a 0-4 series defeat.

Asked if he expected Sooryavanshi to bounce back strongly after his disappointing outing against England, Laxman said he was never concerned about the teenager’s ability, as he had already displayed the temperament to perform under pressure during his IPL stint with Rajasthan Royals.

"It (performance) was on expected lines...last year when he played for Rajasthan Royals for the first time, I think the way he handled pressure, because I believe that any IPL match is equivalent to an international match," he said.

"And at the age of 14 or 15, when you're playing an IPL match, either you can be overawed by the big occasion or absorb and embrace the pressure. And I think he's taken the second option where he embraced the pressure. So, I'm not at all surprised the way this series has gone," added Laxman, who is currently serving as India’s interim head coach in the absence of Gautam Gambhir.

Gambhir has taken a break ahead of India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka next month.

Laxman also highlighted Sooryavanshi’s determination to improve and contribute to the team, pointing to an incident during the series when the youngster wanted to remain on the field despite sustaining an injury.

"We have to also remember that he's just 15 years old. He's a very young boy. And he himself wants to get better in every aspect of the game. And if you see it, even today's game, he was taking the hot spot.

"Even though he got injured, he still wanted to be on the field. But it was our physio who actually asked him to come out. So, that's the eagerness and the earnestness he has to do and contribute in every possible way to the team," said Laxman.

Also read: KL Rahul reveals why 'Spider-Man' feels ‘even more special’ to him as a father | VIDEO

Laxman revealed that Sooryavanshi was disappointed after falling short of a century in the final T20I but reminded him that there would be many more opportunities in his career.

"...we mentioned to him that it's not going to be the first time or the last time he'll get an opportunity to score 100. He's got a long career. And he's got the attitude and the mindset to get better each and every day.

"And I'm sure that he will just progress and break all the records at the international level. He's got all the potential and the ability to do that," said Laxman.

The former India cricketer also backed the country’s strong cricketing structure to continue producing talented players in the years ahead.

"I feel for the next five to 10 years, we've got a lot of quality players who will take Indian cricket forward," he said. (PTI)