Shreyas Iyer Issues 1st Statement On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After Failed Debut

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi flopped on India debut [Source: AFP]

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the Indian teen prodigy, has worked wonders for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. Weeks after the IPL concluded, Sooryavanshi earned his maiden call-up to the Indian national team, making his debut at just 15 years of age in the T20I series against England. 

He was initially selected for India's T20I tour of Ireland and England but did not feature in the first leg of the Europe tour, as he was left out of the first two T20Is against Ireland. 

However, in the second T20I against England, the Indian team management brought in the wonderkid to replace an underperforming Sanju Samson at the top of the order. 

Although Sooryavanshi smashed two sixes, he managed only 14 runs before Will Jacks got his prized scalp. 

Shreyas Iyer Shows Faith In Vaibhav Sooryavanshi despite failure

Both Iyer and Gautam Gambhir believed it was the right decision to fast-track the youngster into the playing XI despite keeping him on the sidelines for India's first three T20Is of the Europe tour.

Shreyas Iyer, the newly appointed captain of India's T20I side, has not enjoyed the best of starts with the bat since taking over the leadership. 

However, he has been actively involved in planning the team's combinations alongside Gautam Gambhir for the Ireland and England series. 

Shreyas Reacts To Sooryavanshi’s Maiden India Debut

Following the second T20I against England, Iyer shared his first reaction to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut. 

Praising the youngster's fearless approach and unflinching attitude in the nets, Iyer refused to judge him solely on his 14-run debut despite the high expectations surrounding him. 

Instead, the India skipper offered words of encouragement and hinted that the team management would continue to back the youngster over the long term.

“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has that unflinching attitude. He is fearless. The way he bats in the nets, there is something to learn from him. I did not expect him to be nervous. The way he stepped up today, on debut, was pleasing,” Iyer said in a post-match press conference as quoted by CREX.

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Fails To Prove After Blistering IPL 2026 Season

Sooryavanshi has been known for his explosive stints across IPL matches. With multiple record-shattering knocks for his team, Rajasthan Royals, in the 2026 edition, expectations piled up constantly on the youngster, and he failed to prove his worth in the Indian setup immediately.

The Bihar-born seemed to be struggling with the bat on the crease in the 2nd T20I. Facing Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer, he failed to cue shots on English soil, failing to read the deliveries.

Why Did Shreyas Iyer Back Vaibhav Despite Debut Failure?

A 10-ball 14 seems to be non-equivalent for a cricketer who hit an 11-ball 50 in an ODI match. However, despite his failure, Shreyas Iyer backed him in the post-match conference. 

The Iyer-led Punjab Kings faced the wrath of Vaibhav in IPL 2026, where the pink vengeance scored a 16-ball 43. Iyer’s trust seems to have been built around these aspects, as he has seen the kid flourish in the nets and on the big stage as well.

Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Play The Next T20I Vs England?

As Iyer was positive about the youngster in his discussion after the match, it is very likely that Vaibhav will play the 3rd T20I against England on July 7. 

With the reputation Vaibhav has built, it requires more than one opportunity in the T20I format after what can be called a debut failure. Besides, Sanju Samson’s numbers of 5, 0, 1 as an opener in the Europe tour have been disappointing as well.

With Vaibhav being of destructive repute, he is at the moment the best bet Shreyas Iyer and Co. can play, especially after the first defeat against the hosts in the five-match series.

Also Read- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Debut, PCB Contract And Axar Record- July 4 Cricket Highlights