India coach addresses decision to not debut Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

By Rohan Gupta — 29 June 2026 — 3 min read

Debate over Sooryavanshi’s T20I debut

The decision to not include Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in India‘s recent T20I series against Ireland has sparked considerable discussion among former cricketers. While some, like Sunil Gavaskar, Mohammed Kaif, and Manoj Tiwary, have advocated for his inclusion, others, such as R Ashwin, have supported the team management’s approach.

India‘s series defeat to Ireland has brought the team’s selection process under scrutiny. Historically, these assignments against lower-ranked teams have been used to introduce young talent to international cricket. However, Sooryavanshi, a left-handed batter, remained on the bench throughout the series.

The team management, including captain Shreyas Iyer and the coaches, reportedly opted to back their T20 World Cup-winning core. This approach has led to questions regarding consistency, particularly concerning the omission of other players from the squad.

Calls for immediate inclusion against England

Sunil Gavaskar has been vocal about Sooryavanshi‘s form, suggesting he should have played in both matches against Ireland. Speaking to AajTak, Gavaskar emphasised that form, rather than hierarchy, should guide selection decisions. He suggested that if a young player was to be tried, the Ireland series presented an ideal opportunity.

Gavaskar further asserted that Sooryavanshi should be included in the playing XI for the upcoming series against England, which is scheduled to begin on July 1. He stated that India should play Sooryavanshi from the first game, even if it means adjusting the batting order to accommodate him.

He suggested that Sooryavanshi could bat at number three, allowing the established opening partnership of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma to remain intact. Gavaskar believes that playing Sooryavanshi could put pressure on the England bowlers and potentially shock the opposition.

Mohammed Kaif echoed similar sentiments on his YouTube channel, criticising the perceived inconsistency in selection logic. He highlighted Sooryavanshi‘s recent form, noting his performance in the IPL and a stint with India A in Sri Lanka, where he scored 94 off 29 balls in a final in Dambulla.

Manoj Tiwary also expressed his concern, suggesting that the coaching staff might be adhering to pre-conceived notions rather than considering current form. He pointed out that players who performed well in the T20 World Cup, which occurred before the IPL, were prioritised over in-form players like Sooryavanshi.

Alternative viewpoints on team selection

In contrast to these views, former India spinner R Ashwin offered a different perspective on his YouTube channel. He argued that there is currently no immediate place for Sooryavanshi in the current XI. Ashwin explained that players like Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma do not participate in Test or ODI cricket, making the T20 format crucial for their continued relevance within the team structure.

Ashwin suggested that if Sooryavanshi were to play, he should be sent on tours where incumbent openers are not present, such as the Zimbabwe tour. He concluded that while Sooryavanshi merits a place based on his performance, it should not come at the expense of the current openers, unless there is a loss of form or an injury replacement.

The debate surrounding Sooryavanshi‘s debut highlights the tension between integrating new talent and maintaining a consistent team core. The upcoming series against England, starting on July 1, will present new challenges for the team management.

Source: indiatoday.in

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter