Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Gambhir Says Sooryavanshi Must Wait Behind Established Performers
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a very young Indian cricket player.
He did not play in any of India’s three T20 matches against Afghanistan.
Some fans thought he might replace Sanju Samson because of his recent scoring.
Coach Gautam Gambhir chose Samson and Abhishek Sharma instead.
Gambhir said Samson has performed well for a long time and has earned his place.
He also said a few bad games do not make experienced players bad.
India won all three matches against Afghanistan.
Gambhir promised that Sooryavanshi will get several chances when he is selected.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, was omitted from India’s playing XI in all three Afghanistan T20Is.
Gautam Gambhir said players with sustained success, including Sanju Samson, remain ahead of newcomers.
India retained the Abhishek Sharma-Sanju Samson opening combination that won the 2026 T20 World Cup.
India swept Afghanistan 3-0, winning the final by 127 runs after Abhishek Sharma scored 108.
Gambhir said Sooryavanshi will receive a longer run when his opportunity arrives.
- Who
- India head coach Gautam Gambhir, 15-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
- What
- Sooryavanshi was left out of India’s playing XI throughout the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
- When
- The final was played on Thursday, identified in the reports as September 17.
- Where
- The final T20I was held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
- Why
- Gambhir preferred established performers and restored the opening combination that had won the T20 World Cup.
Case for Sooryavanshi’s Selection
Case for the Established Combination
Recent form versus experience
Case for Sooryavanshi’s Selection
Sooryavanshi’s performances in England and Zimbabwe, along with expectations that he could open, supported giving the teenager an opportunity.
Case for the Established Combination
Gambhir said players who have performed consistently for two or three years, including Samson, should remain ahead of someone who has just entered the team.
Selection after the series was secured
Case for Sooryavanshi’s Selection
Fans questioned why Sooryavanshi was not selected for the final T20I after India had already secured the series.
Case for the Established Combination
Gambhir wanted to return to the World Cup-winning combination and said a few failures do not make established players bad.
- T20I result
- India defeated Afghanistan 3-0
- Final-match margin
- India won by 127 runs
- Sooryavanshi’s age
- 15 years
- Recent performances
- 42 runs in three matches against England; 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10 against Zimbabwe
- India’s opening pair
- Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson
- Opening-pair total
- 346 runs during the Afghanistan series
- Upcoming ODI series
- India will host West Indies in three ODIs beginning September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram
Sources
'He Will Have To Wait': Gautam Gambhir Says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Must Bide His Time As Experienced Performers Remain Ahead
'Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his opportunity': Gambhir
'He will always be ahead': India coach Gambhir says Sooryavanshi won't walk into team ahead of Samson
