India head coach Gautam Gambhir described leaving Sanju Samson out of the England series as “probably the toughest” decision of his coaching tenure, while making it clear that teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his next opportunity with the national side.
Sooryavanshi was among the biggest talking points during India’s 3-0 T20I series victory over Afghanistan, with fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium eager to see the 15-year-old make his first appearance on home soil.
However, the youngster remained on the sidelines throughout the series, with India sticking to the opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Samson that featured during their successful 2026 T20 World Cup campaign.
Gambhir backs experience over immediate opportunity
Gambhir said Sooryavanshi’s talent is beyond doubt but stressed that the youngster’s development does not mean he will automatically walk into the playing XI.
“I think his talent itself is enough for him to be impressive. I think he showed what he is capable of.”
Sooryavanshi became India’s youngest debutant earlier this year during the England tour, scoring 42 runs across three matches. He then topped India’s run charts against Zimbabwe with 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10, earning the Player of the Series award.
Despite that impressive run, Gambhir said the team had decided to return to the combination that had delivered success at the T20 World Cup.
Gambhir revealed that leaving Samson out of the England series had been an especially difficult call given the batter’s performances before that assignment.
“It was tough, probably the toughest decision I’ve taken in my coaching tenure, leaving him out in that England series because obviously the way he performed before that.”
The head coach said selection decisions must also take current form into account, while emphasising that a few failures do not suddenly make established players ineffective.
India stick with World Cup-winning opening pair
With Samson struggling for runs, Sooryavanshi appeared to be a natural candidate for an opening slot against Afghanistan. India instead retained Samson alongside Abhishek, and the decision paid off handsomely.
The pair combined for 346 runs during the three-match series, including a 142-run opening partnership in the third T20I.
Gambhir said the decision was based on faith in the combination that had helped India go unbeaten through their World Cup campaign.
“But again, sometimes you go with a player’s form as well, and in this series, I was always very clear, from my point of view, that we want to go back with the combination that we had during the World Cup because those guys, after three or four failures, don’t become bad players.
“The kind of cricket we play, if a team that has gone unbeaten from one World Cup to the other World Cup and has won the World Cup, I’m sure it’s a gun team. So, that means it doesn’t become a bad team after one or two series and these guys cannot become bad players after two or three failures,” added Gambhir.
He added that India’s unbeaten run from one World Cup to the next was evidence of the quality within the squad.
Sooryavanshi told to wait for his opportunity
Gambhir said the message to Sooryavanshi has been straightforward: his opportunity will come, but he must be patient.
“It was again a very clear conversation that he has to wait for his opportunity.”
The coach acknowledged the teenager’s exceptional ability but said selection would continue to be based on performance, combinations and the team’s requirements.
“We know what kind of talent he has. We know what he can do.”
Gambhir also stressed that age would not determine when a player gets an opportunity at the highest level.
“Whether you’re 15-year-old or 30-year-old. Then you have to wait for your opportunity.”
For now, Sooryavanshi’s next India appearance will have to wait, even as his performances continue to underline why he is regarded as one of the country’s most exciting young batting prospects.