Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is Unlikely to Replace Samson
India is preparing to play its second T20 cricket match against the West Indies.
Sanju Samson scored 11 runs in the first match.
Some people have wondered whether young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should take his place.
Former India player Aakash Chopra says that is unlikely.
He thinks a player should not be dropped after every low score.
Sooryavanshi is 15 and has played eight T20 internationals, according to the article.
Chopra also said he would like all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy to play.
He is not sure India’s team leaders agree.
Aakash Chopra says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unlikely to replace Sanju Samson for India’s second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi.
Chopra argued that dropping Samson after each disappointing innings would make it difficult to manage the team.
Samson scored 11 runs in the series opener and has had several low scores in recent T20Is.
The article says Samson scored 321 runs in five innings during the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Chopra said he wanted all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in the XI, while doubting the team management shared his view.
- Who
- Aakash Chopra discussed Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
- What
- Chopra said Sooryavanshi was unlikely to replace Samson in India’s second T20I lineup.
- When
- Ahead of the second T20I, scheduled for Friday.
- Where
- Ranchi.
- Why
- Chopra said repeatedly reconsidering Samson’s place after each match would make team management difficult.
- Upcoming match
- India vs West Indies, second T20I
- Venue
- Ranchi
- Samson in series opener
- 11 runs from nine deliveries
- Samson's T20 World Cup tally
- 321 runs in five innings
- Sooryavanshi's age
- 15
- Sooryavanshi's T20I record
- Eight matches, 246 runs, strike rate 186.36, and two half-centuries
- Chopra's preferred selection
- Nitish Kumar Reddy