![Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shreyas Iyer [Source: AFP, screenshot]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1782576279082_Vaibhav_Sooryavanshi_Shreyas_Iyer.jpg?type=hq)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shreyas Iyer [Source: AFP, screenshot]
Team India lost the first T20I of the series against Ireland on Friday, June 26 by 34 runs. The dreadful outcome handed newly appointed skipper Shreyas Iyer a worst possible start for the Indian cricket team on his captaincy debut, as well as on his return to the format after a gap of over two-and-a-half years.
Another major update emerged from the match was the notable exclusion of rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from India’s playing XI, even though the 15-year-old was one of the biggest talking points in the lead up to the series.
It now appears that Sooryavanshi has ‘liked’ a controversial social media post, one which targeted captain Iyer as well as the team management for excluding him from the playing group.
Here, we unravel the truth behind the viral claim and examine whether the Rajasthan Royals star really liked a post trolling Shreyas Iyer.
Did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi troll Shreyas Iyer?
On Saturday, June 27, several social media accounts claimed that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has liked a controversial Instagram post targeting national captain Shreyas Iyer as well as the Indian team management.
Also Read- Sanju Samson Given Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Threat After Poor Outing In 1st T20I vs Ireland
The social media post read “Mujhe drop karke joh match jeete ho, uski highlights bhejna Shreyas bhai.” (translation: Can you send the highlights of the match that India won by dropping me, Shreyas brother?)
However, the claim seems to be misleading. It appears that Sooryavanshi did not liked any such post on social media, and the viral screenshot trending on X appears to have been digitally altered. As of now, there is no credible evidence to suggest that the young Indian opener has targeted any of his national teammates.
Why was Sooryavanshi dropped from first T20I?
Indian captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed at the toss that the team management did not select Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in a bid to give opportunities to existing players at the moment.
He said “We have got tremendous players. We are backing majority of your players who have done marvellous job. Yes, he will get a chance. But right now, we are going with two genuine seamers, one all-rounder and two spinners.”
It is worth noting that Sooryavanshi’s debut was one of the most talked about topics among India fans in the lead up to the two-match T20I series in Ireland. At a tender age of just 15, the youngster was selected in the national side by the BCCI following his IPL 2026 riches for the Rajasthan Royals franchise.
India to face Ireland in must-win second T20I
Trailing 0-1 in the two-match series, Team India will now take on hosts Ireland in the second T20I on Sunday, June 28. The match will be hosted by the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont, Belfast.
Even if India manages to win the match and level the two-match rubber, the outcome will still ensure that the ‘Men in Blue’ will not win a T20I series for the first time since losing in West Indies way back in August 2023 nearly three years ago.
Also Read- India To Lose Ireland T20I Series? Concerning Update Arrives From Belfast
