India's handling of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju...

By Aarav Reddy — 13 July 2026 — 3 min read

Debate over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s debut

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the international debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, suggesting that the young player might have been introduced to the international stage prematurely. Sooryavanshi, a left-handed batter, played in three T20Is against England, registering scores of 14, 13, and 15. He was subsequently dropped for the final T20I in Southampton. Ashwin believes that overseas tours should primarily serve as learning experiences for young talents, allowing them to adapt to foreign conditions and the demands of international cricket gradually, rather than expecting immediate high-impact performances.

Sooryavanshi was initially expected to make his debut in Ireland. However, the team management opted to continue with the experienced duo of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, both of whom were part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad. The growing public demand for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion intensified, leading to his debut after Samson’s three consecutive low scores.

Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s talent, stating, “I’m still telling you, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is an incredible player. If I were the selector, I would have also picked him. But let him take his time.” He further questioned the influence of external pressure on team selection, asking, “You are saying that you can pick teams by succumbing to social media pressure?”

Impact on player confidence

The India team’s recent 0-6 tour of the United Kingdom has sparked discussions regarding the management’s approach to player development and selection. The tour saw India lose both series against Ireland and England, with the team also recording its lowest T20I total in nearly two decades and conceding its highest-ever total in the format. Beyond the statistics, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on the confidence of both Sooryavanshi and Samson.

Sooryavanshi arrived in the UK in strong form, following a successful IPL season and an India A tour of Sri Lanka. Despite high expectations, he spent the first three matches on the bench before making his debut in Manchester. After playing three matches, he was then sidelined for the final T20I. This rapid introduction and subsequent removal from the playing eleven for a 15-year-old, who has been touted as a significant talent, has led to questions about the consistency of the team’s messaging regarding player patience.

Samson’s situation also drew scrutiny. After being projected as India’s long-term wicketkeeper before the T20 World Cup, he was dropped and then recalled under pressure. Despite a strong performance in the World Cup, he faced a challenging tour in the UK, making scores of 5 and 0 against Ireland, and just one run in the opening T20I against England before being dropped. He was recalled for the final match, where he scored 27 runs from 14 balls in a chase of 258. The inconsistent opportunities for both players have led to concerns about the long-term effects on their confidence.

Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Credit: indiatoday.in

Selection philosophy under scrutiny

The team management’s philosophy of “giving players a long rope” has been contrasted with the short stints given to both Sooryavanshi and Samson during the UK tour. Critics suggest that if selectors believed Sooryavanshi was ready for international cricket, three innings might not be sufficient to make a judgment. Conversely, if he still required nurturing, his debut could have been delayed. This perceived mixed messaging has created an uncomfortable situation for the team management.

Ashwin drew on his own experiences, recalling instances where he was in strong form but missed out on tours due to selection decisions based on team combinations, rather than individual performance or external pressure. He emphasised that team management decisions should be insulated from “outside noise,” including social media pressure, to maintain the sanctity of the team environment.

The tour’s outcomes have prompted discussions about whether the team risked damaging the confidence of two key batters. Sooryavanshi is part of India’s squad for the upcoming T20I assignment against Zimbabwe.