![Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shreyas Iyer [Source: AFP, screengrab]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1782826985347_Vaibhav_Sooryavanshi_Tilak_Varma.jpg?type=hq)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shreyas Iyer [Source: AFP, screengrab]
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi failed to find a place in the Indian playing XI during the two-match T20I series in Ireland last week. Earlier, the 15-year-old was selected in Team India squad after winning the coveted ‘Orange Cap’ in this year’s IPL 2026 season.
With fans eagerly waiting to see Sooryavanshi in action for Team India, national skipper Shreyas Iyer recently justified the exclusion of the youngster. Iyer’s response to the reporters also hinted that the Rajasthan Royals opener might also not find a place in the team in the upcoming five-match T20I series in England.
Shreyas Iyer says T20 World Cup winners deserve opportunity over Sooryavanshi
While speaking with the reporters in the lead-up to India’s five-match T20I series in England, captain Shreyas Iyer explained why the team management decided to exclude rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the playing XI in Ireland.
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The senior Indian batter admitted that while Sooryavanshi has been performing exceptionally well, other players have also performed and it is important to back senior cricketers. The skipper added that several members of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 winning squad have been the “main pillars” of the national side.
Refusing to guarantee Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s debut in England, Shreyas Iyer said “It's not that only one individual (Vaibhav) has performed, others have performed too and it's important to back them for providing security and confidence to players. Also, players who won us the T20 World Cup 2026 also have an idea about how to approach the format. They have been the main pillars of India’s T20I cricket and it is important to back them as well.”
India loses Ireland series without Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
With Team India management refusing to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his debut in Ireland last week, the ‘Men in Blue’ lost their two-match series to the hosts by a shambolic 0-2 margin. The outcome ended India’s unbeaten series juggernaut in T20Is since August 2023, with the team winning 16 series in a row since then which included two T20 World Cups and an Asia Cup title.
India’s 0-2 result also casted a dark shadow over first-time captain Shreyas Iyer, who replaced World Cup winning skipper Suryakumar Yadav before the series.
Indian coach says team does not want to “rush” Sooryavanshi debut
Just a few days ago, Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also hinted out that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will not be making his debut in England. While speaking with the reporters after the Ireland series, the cricketer said that while the youngster is ready to play for India, the management does not want to rush his debut.
Doeschate said “He is absolutely ready to play international cricket. But we won’t rush him.”
India to face England in five T20Is
After losing the series in Ireland, Team India will now take on hosts England in a five-match series between July 1 and July 11. The first match of the series will be hosted by the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street and the action will commence from 10:00 PM IST onwards.
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