Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Denied T20I Debut By India Legend Despite Ireland Defeat

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Denied T20I Debut [Source: AFP]

15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was denied his international debut during India’s first T20I against Ireland. However, despite the men in blue suffering from heavy criticism, critics are still not in favour of Sooryavanshi’s inclusion.

Sooryavanshi received his maiden call-up for the Ireland tour after a record-breaking IPL 2026 season where he scored 776 runs at a strike rate of above 200. 

However, amid much hype, he wasn’t included in the playing XI of the first T20I, where India ended up losing by 34 runs. 

R Ashwin against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s India debut

Meanwhile, despite criticism, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin supported the decision to exclude Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and said fans should be patient. 

"I know we all want to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play. We are all fans, and he is a great entertainer. But not at any cost. There is value in sitting outside and watching the game, too. Let him serve the team, help out, even bring water. There is a lot to learn from that experience. A great player doesn't become one overnight,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

His argument was that Vaibhav is a special talent, but India should not rush him just because everyone wants to see him play. Also, Ashwin believes Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have been a successful opening pair.

Also Read - Fans Demand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Debut After Sanju Samson Fails Miserably In 1st T20I

Hence, it's not ideal for the team to ignore existing players only because a young prospect is exciting.

"Please, everyone, think about the game with some wisdom. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened together, and Sanju batted very well in the World Cup. If you bench one of them to play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, what is the point of calling this a team game?" he added.

Ashwin compares Sooryavanshi’s situation to Sachin Tendulkar's

Not only that, Ravichandran Ashwin compared Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to players like Sachin Tendulkar, who became legends but were not expected to dominate immediately.

“Once Vaibhav starts playing, he might never be dropped. It could happen, just as it did with Sachin Tendulkar. But if he spends some time outside the playing XI first, he will get empathy and a better understanding of the team environment. He has a long and illustrious career ahead of him. Sitting outside is also a role.” 

Overall, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is considered a huge future prospect, but Ashwin believes India should manage him carefully.

Will Sooryavanshi feature in a do-or-die game for India?

After the crushing defeat in the first T20I, India will face Ireland in the second T20I on Sunday, June 28. It’s a do-or-die game for the men in blue to save the 2-game series.

Since Sanju Samson and the entire middle order failed in the first game, fans have demanded the inclusion of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the second and last T20I.

However, given the stakes are high, India is unlikely to make any changes to the playing XI. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the potential, but international cricket is a different ball game.

Also, the pressure will peak in the second game, meaning India won't risk playing with inexperienced players. Hence, for now, Vaibhav will have to wait for his much-awaited India debut.

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