Former India captain criticises Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s treatment

By Rohan Gupta — 14 July 2026 — 3 min read

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has voiced strong criticism regarding the handling of 15-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the recent T20I tours of Ireland and England. Srikkanth specifically targeted captain Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir, questioning their approach to young players.

Sooryavanshi, who was the youngest Orange Cap winner in IPL 2026 after scoring 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals, was initially included in the squad for the Ireland series but did not play. He later made his international debut against England after Sanju Samson struggled for runs. However, after playing three matches, Sooryavanshi was dropped from the final T20I, a decision that upset Srikkanth.

The teenager’s scores in his three appearances were 14 in Manchester, 13 in Nottingham, and 15 in Bristol. Despite these numbers, Srikkanth believes Sooryavanshi should have been given more opportunities to establish himself at the international level. The decision to drop him came as England secured a 56-run victory in the fifth T20I in Southampton, completing a 4-0 series sweep against India, following India‘s 0-2 loss to Ireland.

Iyer’s rationale questioned

Srikkanth expressed particular dissatisfaction with Iyer’s explanation for the team change at the toss before the final T20I. Iyer had stated, “I feel this is the time we need to try what’s the best going forward for us as a team. So based on that, we decided this.”

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth found this remark unacceptable, questioning the message it sent to young players. He argued that if performance is the sole criterion for dropping players, then the same standard should apply to everyone in the leadership group, including Gambhir and Iyer himself. Srikkanth asked, “What wrong did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi do? Is this how you groom young players?”

The former captain highlighted the importance of how a team treats its players and forms a young squad. He suggested that if the current approach is considered the “best way forward,” then perhaps the leadership group needs to be changed. Srikkanth’s comments underscore a concern that the decision to bring in Sooryavanshi and then drop him after only three games could negatively impact his confidence and future.

Lessons from past experiences

Srikkanth drew a parallel between Sooryavanshi’s situation and his own experience as captain when he handed a 16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar his international debut during the 1989 tour of Pakistan. He recalled assuring Tendulkar that he would not be dropped during that tour, encouraging him to play fearlessly.

He contended that Iyer and Gambhir should have shown similar faith in Sooryavanshi, rather than removing him from the playing XI after a limited number of matches. Srikkanth questioned the rationale of introducing a young player only to bench him shortly after, suggesting it could “spoil his future” and “ruin his confidence.”

The controversy surrounding Sooryavanshi’s selection and subsequent dropping has contributed to a challenging UK tour for India. The team management has faced scrutiny for frequently altering its opening combination, with Samson also being dropped after three matches despite being named Player of the Tournament at the recent T20 World Cup. Srikkanth concluded by stating, “It’s not fair. I am very upset with the way they are treating Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.”

Impact on team dynamics

The former India chief selector emphasized that the way young players are handled is crucial for their development and for building a strong team. He suggested that the current approach by Iyer and Gambhir could be detrimental to the confidence of emerging talent.

Srikkanth’s critique extends to the broader team management, implying that a consistent and supportive approach is necessary for fostering young cricketers. He questioned the overall strategy if it involves bringing in players like Sooryavanshi, who had a successful IPL season, only to drop them without an extended run.

The discussion highlights the delicate balance between team performance and player development, especially when integrating young talent into international cricket. The decision to drop Sooryavanshi for the final T20I against England after his three appearances has sparked debate about the team’s long-term vision for its players.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter