RCB's Top Boss Approves Gautam Gambhir's Take On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Fans have slammed Gambhir for ignoring Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: AFP]

Should Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play in the England T20Is? Should he be allowed to just sit on the bench? This has been the hot topic amongst the cricketing fraternity ever since the Ireland T20I series commenced. After an exemplary IPL 2026, the BCCI picked the youngster in the India squad for the UK tour, and he was expected to make his debut vs Ireland.

He was touted to start against the Irish side in the two-match T20I series, but the Indian fans were given a surprise as Sooryavanshi was snubbed by Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer, and instead, the management continued with the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.

India persist with Samson, ignore Sooryavanshi despite top form

India had nothing to lose in the Ireland series, and there was a golden chance for the management to try out Sooryavanshi in place of one of the openers. There was a great buzz surrounding his debut, but the fans were left stunned as Sooryavanshi was nowhere to be seen despite scoring truckloads of runs.

He scored match-winning runs in the IND-A tri-series against Sri Lanka, and headed to Ireland oozing with confidence. However, that confidence was shattered as three matches into the UK tour, and the 15-year-old has warmed the bench.

5, 0, 1, these have been Samson's numbers in the last three T20I games, and as a result, the Kerala batter has faced heavy criticism.

RCB batting coach Dinesh Karthik sides with Gambhir over Sooryavanshi's decision

India head coach, Gautam Gambhir was heavily criticised for not picking Sooryavanshi in the playing XI. Fans slammed him for picking an out-of-form Samson over him, but RCB mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik sides with him.

There has been a fresh debate over Sooryavanshi’s possible India debut, but Karthik feels it would be premature to make a change as he wants India to continue with Samson.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Like Young Players Who Can Take World Cricket By Storm

"Sanju Samson has, once again, had a bit of a failure. Now three innings on the bounce means the calls are coming nice and loud for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but I would still say, Sanju Samson, player of the tournament in the World Cup, he is under pressure," DK said to Cricbuzz.

He further added that while fans are eagerly waiting for Sooryavanshi’s debut, one must have patience with the 15-year-old star.

"I know the whole cricketing world is going to be like, 'Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, when is he going to get in?' That is understandable, but I still hope they back someone like Sanju Samson, because, under pressure, in the World Cup, a few months ago, he got the job done, so we have to back him. Vaibhav needs to earn the right to play in this XI even though he is extremely talented, and I have no doubt he is going to do very well in international cricket."

Should Gambhir react to outside noise and replace Samson with Sooryavanshi?

Sanju Samson won the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament, but since then, he has failed to deliver the goods in the three matches that he has played. He has a weakness against the moving ball, and it was exposed during the Ireland T20Is and the 1st match against England.

On paper, performance should be rewarded, and the left-handed teenage prodigy has done enough to warrant a place in the main XI. While Samson struggles inside the power play in tricky conditions, Sooryavanshi has a clear game plan, and unlike the Kerala batter, the 15-year-old player has the ability to snatch the game away in the blink of an eye.

With Samson failing against England, head coach Gambhir should take a tough call and bring in Sooryavanshi from the next game onwards.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s ‘Boss Baby’ Title Given To Another Indian Star