Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
India coach says hype over Sooryavanshi is unfair to him and teammates
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak says public hype for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is putting pressure on the young player.
The calls for him to play have grown as India prepares for the second T20I against New Zealand.
Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to represent India in international cricket earlier this year and has played eight T20Is.
Kotak says Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are performing as the current openers, so the team cannot choose its playing XI based on social media demand.
He says Sooryavanshi understands why he is not in the XI and is working on his batting, fitness and fielding.
Kotak argues that the debate is unfair to other players who are delivering, as well as potentially harmful to Sooryavanshi.
The coach says team selections remain with the management; no change to the opening pair was announced.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said public hype around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s place in the team could harm the young player and the team.
Kotak said calls to include Sooryavanshi should not override selection decisions or the form of current openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
He said excessive attention could put pressure on Sooryavanshi and be unfair to other players who are performing.
Kotak said Sooryavanshi understands why he is not in the playing XI and is working on his fielding, fitness and batting.
The comments came as India prepared for the second T20I against New Zealand.
- Who
- India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak spoke about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the team’s selection.
- What
- Kotak warned that hype around Sooryavanshi’s place in the playing XI was not good for him or the team.
- When
- October 23, 2026, on the eve of the second T20I against New Zealand.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Kotak said selection should be based on the team’s needs and that excessive hype could pressure Sooryavanshi and overlook performing players.
Supporters calling for Sooryavanshi's inclusion
India team management
Selection
Supporters calling for Sooryavanshi's inclusion
They want Sooryavanshi included in the playing XI.
India team management
Kotak said selection calls should serve the team and cannot be driven by public demand.
Current performers
Supporters calling for Sooryavanshi's inclusion
Their calls focus on Sooryavanshi's talent.
India team management
Kotak said attention to Sooryavanshi could be unfair to Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and other players who are performing.
Sooryavanshi became the youngest to play international cricket for India.
On the eve of the second T20I against New Zealand, Kotak spoke about hype around Sooryavanshi and team selection.
- Coach
- Sitanshu Kotak
- Young player
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Current opening pair
- Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson
- Sooryavanshi's T20I appearances
- Eight
- Upcoming match
- Second T20I against New Zealand
3 sources
What people are saying
I genuinely felt it is not good for the player also.
It is sad and it is sad for other players also who are performing.
He is very talented and has a bright, bright future ahead.
people want to play their own 11. It doesn’t work like that