Gambhir slammed for treatment given to Sooryavanshi [Source: AFP]The entire India is asking the same thing again and again: Where is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi? Why is the teenage prodigy not included in India’s playing XI? There was a great buzz when the Indian selectors picked Sooryavanshi for the Ireland and England tour, and many expected him to straightaway slot into the playing XI.However, three matches into the UK T20I tour, there is still no sign of Sooryavanshi, as the 15-year-old has been made to warm the bench by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer. Fans and experts have reached their breaking point as many feel the teenager has been snubbed deliberately.Sooryavanshi ignored, out of form Samson preferred by GambhirEveryone expected the left-handed batter to make his India debut against the Ireland side, since the pressure would have been less on him, and he could have taken them to the cleaners. Nonetheless, Sooryavanshi was ignored by the head coach as Sanju Samson was given preference, and the move failed.The Kerala batter and the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament scored just 5 runs in the combined two innings against Ireland, and it also included a duck in the second game.For the first T20I against England, it was expected that Samson would be dropped, and India would go in with Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma as their opening pair. However, to everyone’s surprise, the 15-year-old boy was snubbed once again, and the decision came to haunt India as Samson was dismissed for just 1.Ravi Shastri slams Gambhir for not playing SooryavanshiEver since the start of the Ireland tour, experts have demanded Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in India’s playing XI, but the demands are yet to be fulfilled. Despite Samson being out of form, he has been preferred over the youngster, and this decision baffled the former India head coach, Ravi Shastri, who slammed Gambhir for this unusual call.Also Read: "Not Watching The Match": Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Exclusion vs ENG Upset NetizensShastri asserted that Sooryavanshi should have played against Ireland, since the Irish grounds are small, and the Indian star would have cleared the fence with ease.Sony Sports Network @SonySportsNetwk "Arrey, woh khelna chahiye tha yaar!" 👀 Ravi Shastri's brutally honest take on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 💬 Watch #ENGvIND, 2nd T20I on 4th July, 6 PM onwards, LIVE on Sony Sports Network TV channels. #SonySportsNetwork #MamlaPersonalHai #ExtraaaInnings Jul 2, 2026, 1:38 AM "He should have played in Ireland. The tracks there were slow and spongy, and Sooryavanshi would have easily cleared the smaller grounds of Ireland.Not sure whether they (Gambhir, Iyer) will play him in England, but the management should play him as soon as possible in the T20Is," Shastri said.He further added: "He has beaten everyone in the IPL, every fast bowler was taken to the cleaners by him. Instead of playing him, you are telling him to warm the bench."Why India should drop Samson and pick SooryavanshiSamson played three outstanding knocks in the T20 World Cup 2026, and was rightly India’s best batter in the tournament. However, the conditions in England are different from what he got in India.The Indian opener has a tendency to struggle against the moving ball, and it was evident during the first T20I against England as he was dismissed cheaply. Sooryavanshi is a fearless cricketer, and he would be an attacking upgrade over Samson, who struggles against top-quality bowlers.Moreover, during India’s Under-19 tour of England, Sooryavanshi performed exceedingly well, and he already has a taste of the English conditions.Also Read: Flying Steve Smith Turns Back Time With Spectacular Catch
