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Gambhir Says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Must Wait for Opportunity
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a very young and talented Indian cricketer.
He did not play in India’s three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
Some fans expected him to open because he had scored well recently.
Coach Gautam Gambhir instead chose Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
That pair scored 346 runs together in the series.
Gambhir said Samson had earned another chance after his earlier success.
He also said players do not become bad after only a few poor matches.
Sooryavanshi will need to wait for his chance.
When he gets it, Gambhir said he will be given enough matches to show his ability.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was left out of India’s playing XI for all three Afghanistan T20Is.
The 15-year-old became India’s youngest debutant in England and scored 42 runs in three matches.
He later led Zimbabwe’s run-scoring charts with 151 runs at an average of 50.33.
Gautam Gambhir retained Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as India’s opening pair.
Gambhir said Sooryavanshi will receive a longer run when his opportunity arrives.
- Who
- India head coach Gautam Gambhir, 15-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
- What
- Sooryavanshi was not selected for India’s playing XI in any match of the three-T20I Afghanistan series.
- Where
- The final match was played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
- When
- The series concluded on Thursday; no exact date is provided.
- Why
- Gambhir chose the opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, which had won the 2026 T20 World Cup, and said established performers should remain ahead of newer players.
Case for Sooryavanshi’s Selection
Case for the Established Combination
Opening the innings
Case for Sooryavanshi’s Selection
Fans and expectations favored Sooryavanshi because of his strong recent performances and Sanju Samson’s reported struggle for form.
Case for the Established Combination
Gautam Gambhir preferred Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, the opening pair that won the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Priority in selection
Case for Sooryavanshi’s Selection
Sooryavanshi’s performances in England and Zimbabwe supported giving the young batter an opportunity at home.
Case for the Established Combination
Gambhir said Samson’s sustained success over two years meant he should remain ahead of a player who had just joined the team.
Key facts
- Series
- Three T20Is between India and Afghanistan
- Sooryavanshi’s age
- 15 years
- Previous England series
- 42 runs in three matches
- Previous Zimbabwe series
- 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10
- Retained opening pair
- Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson
- Opening-pair runs
- 346 runs in the Afghanistan series
- Coach’s decision
- Sooryavanshi must wait for his opportunity and will receive a longer run when selected
Quotes
Gautam Gambhir
Head coach of the Indian cricket team
“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 (Sanju Samson), obviously, he will always be ahead of someone who’s just walked into the team.”
indianexpress.com
“From Vaibhav’s point of view, it was again a very clear conversation that he has to wait for his opportunity.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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