Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old batting prodigy, remains on the sidelines for India after the team’s shock T20I series loss to Ireland, including a 0-2 whitewash and a narrow one-run defeat in the second match. Multiple former players and cricket commentators question why he was not given an opportunity during the Ireland tour, arguing that the series would have been a suitable entry point. Ravi Shastri, AB de Villiers, and Sunil Gavaskar are among those who suggest Sooryavanshi should have played earlier, citing his impact and “readiness,” along with his impressive domestic and IPL returns.
However, India’s coaching staff, led publicly by assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, maintains that Sooryavanshi is ready for international cricket but must follow India’s established selection process. Ten Doeschate points to the importance of backing current performers and keeping confidence within the squad, including Sanju Samson, who recently played a major role in India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 success. The debate now shifts to India’s upcoming England T20 series, where timing his debut could make him India’s youngest international debutant if selected.
