Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Robin Singh Says Sooryavanshi-Samson Debate Brings Healthy Competition
Robin Singh said it is good for Indian cricket to have players competing for places.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a talented young player who wants to open the batting in T20 matches.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have also been opening for India.
Singh said young players should get enough chances to learn international cricket.
But he said Sooryavanshi may have to wait because others have played well.
Sooryavanshi has played in eight of India’s 18 T20 matches since joining the team during the Ireland series period.
India has also tried using both Sooryavanshi and Samson together.
For now, Sooryavanshi is waiting for another opportunity.
Robin Singh described competition between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson for India’s T20I opening spot as healthy.
Singh said young players should receive a reasonable run of games, rather than being benched after one or two appearances.
He added Sooryavanshi has ample talent but may need to wait because other players have performed well.
Sooryavanshi has featured in eight of India’s 18 T20Is since joining the squad from the Ireland tour onward.
Samson has retained an opening role, with Sooryavanshi waiting as Samson and Abhishek Sharma open.
- Who
- Former India cricketer Robin Singh discussed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson’s competition for an opening spot.
- What
- Singh said the competition is healthy, while noting that young players need a sustained chance and Sooryavanshi may have to wait.
- When
- In comments to IANS; no date is specified in the article.
- Where
- New Delhi; the article does not specify where Singh gave the interview.
- Why
- India must decide how to use its opening batters, as Samson and Abhishek Sharma have held the spots and Sooryavanshi is competing for an opportunity.
Give Sooryavanshi a sustained chance
Retain players who have performed well
Sooryavanshi’s opportunity
Give Sooryavanshi a sustained chance
Singh said a youngster should not be given only one or two games before being made to sit on the bench; he needs a good run to understand international cricket.
Retain players who have performed well
Singh said Sooryavanshi may need to wait because the other players have done very well.
Selection competition
Give Sooryavanshi a sustained chance
A longer opportunity would allow the young batter to show his ability at international level.
Retain players who have performed well
Singh viewed competition as beneficial because it encourages players not to slip up in their performances.
- Speaker
- Robin Singh, former Indian cricketer and all-rounder
- Players discussed
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson
- T20I appearances
- Sooryavanshi has played in eight of India’s 18 matches since joining the squad from the Ireland series onward.
- Current opening combination
- Samson and Abhishek Sharma have been opening, according to the article.
- Sooryavanshi’s debut
- He debuted in the second T20I of India’s five-match series in England.
- Previous joint selection
- India tried both Sooryavanshi and Samson during the Asian Games in Japan.