Murali Karthik backs India’s decision to keep Sooryavanshi waiting

Former India spinner Murali Karthik backed the decision to leave Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out of the team.

The 15-year-old has not played for India at home, despite impressing in the IPL and being named Player of the Series on the Zimbabwe tour.

Karthik said Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma should keep their opening places rather than be dropped without a clear reason.

The pair have scored 1,125 runs together in 38 T20 internationals, though their form has sometimes been inconsistent.

Competition is also strong from Ishan Kishan, making a place at the top of the order harder for Sooryavanshi to secure.

Karthik said the youngster should be told plainly that he must wait for an opening, such as an injury or a sustained dip in form.

Team manager Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer have said they are keeping Sooryavanshi informed, and he is expected to remain in contention as he waits for his chance.