Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has questioned Team India’s decision to keep 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on the bench, saying the Ireland series could have been the ideal stage to hand the young batter his international debut.
Sooryavanshi, one of Indian cricket’s most talked-about teenage prospects, did not feature in the playing XI during the Ireland T20I series and also missed out in the opening T20I against England. His absence has now sparked a fresh selection debate around head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Shastri said India should not delay the youngster’s entry for too long. He argued that the slow and spongy conditions in Ireland, along with the smaller ground dimensions, could have suited Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting style.
Shastri also suggested that keeping a young player on the bench for too long can create unnecessary pressure. According to him, Sooryavanshi brings an “X-factor” that India can use in the T20 format, especially after the teenager’s eye-catching rise through domestic cricket and the IPL.
“He should’ve played in Ireland. Get him in as soon as you can,” Shastri said, while backing the left-handed batter to be given a chance at the earliest.
India’s team combination has come under scrutiny after the 2-0 defeat to Ireland and a rain-hit opening T20I against England. In that match, India posted 189/7 before rain forced the game to be abandoned without England beginning their chase.
The debate is not limited to Sooryavanshi. Fans and analysts are also discussing whether India should strengthen the finishing role by bringing Rinku Singh into the playing XI. With Sanju Samson enduring another difficult outing at the top, there is growing pressure on the management to rethink the balance of the batting order.
However, handing a debut to a 15-year-old on a major overseas tour remains a big call. While Shastri believes Sooryavanshi should be unleashed quickly, others may argue that India need to protect the youngster from early pressure and manage his transition carefully.
For now, the message from Shastri is clear: India have a rare talent in the squad, and he does not want him warming the bench for too long.
