India head coach Gautam Gambhir has given a clear verdict on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the teenager was left out of the playing XI in the Afghanistan series.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise in Indian cricket hit another interesting phase after the 15-year-old made his international debut but was subsequently left out of India’s playing XI for the Afghanistan T20I series.
Sooryavanshi became India’s youngest-ever international cricketer when he made his T20I debut against England in July. He scored 42 runs across three matches, including 14 on debut, where he smashed two sixes against England’s pace attack.
He then produced a spectacular response in Zimbabwe, finishing the three-match series with 151 runs at a strike rate of 196.10. He also became the youngest player to score a men’s T20I fifty, reaching the landmark in just 18 balls.
However, with Sanju Samson returning, Sooryavanshi was omitted from all three Afghanistan T20Is as India preferred Samson and Abhishek Sharma at the top. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has since urged patience, indicating the youngster will get another substantial opportunity.
“From Vaibhav’s point of view, it was again a very clear conversation that he has to wait for his opportunity. We know the kind of talent he has. We know what he can do. But again, someone who’s done extremely well over a period of two years, obviously, will always be ahead of someone who’s just got into the team,” Gambhir said recently.
“So, whenever he gets that run, he will get a longer run as well. And that is what Indian cricket is all about. We want competition. We want that talent in the dressing room. But that’s how cricket goes. Whether you’re a 15-year-old or a 30-year-old, when you have to wait for your opportunity, you have to wait for your opportunity,” the India coach added.
Sooryavanshi is part of the Asian Games 2026 squad and will travel to Japan for the upcoming continental competition. Shreyas Iyer-led India are the favourites having won the Gold medal in the last edition as well.