Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets Clear Message From Team India Before 3rd T20I vs England

Kotak reveals Team India gave a clear message to Sooryavanshi before debut [Source: AFP]

One of the boldest moves made by the BCCI selection committee in recent years was to pick the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the India T20I squad. The left-handed batter has done tremendously well in the IPL 2026 season and was outstanding for India A, as the selectors were quick to call him up.

While everyone expected the star boy to debut against Ireland in the two-match T20I series, the team management had some other plans as they delayed his debut.

He warmed the bench for the entire series and was also not picked for the first T20I against England as frustration crept amongst the Indian fans who lashed out at Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer.

Sooryavanshi finally gets his India debut in second T20I

The wait was finally over as the Indian team management decided to hand Sooryavanshi his India cap as the 15-year-old teenager was set to play his biggest match in the second T20I against England.

There was a lot of buzz surrounding his debut, and despite giving some lusty blows, Sooryavanshi couldn’t capitalise as he scored just 14 runs before Will Jacks dismissed him.

The batter was criticised by a section of the Indian fans, but India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, has a clear message for the star player as he aims to dominate the proceedings against England in the third game of the series on Tuesday.

Sitanshu Kotak's clear message for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of 3rd T20I

Ahead of the India vs England 3rd T2OI, Kotak attended the press conference, and he revealed that Suryavanshi was always destined to make his India debut ever since he was named in the squad.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Labelled Reason Behind Indian Players' Insecurity

He further added that the team management always told him to play his natural game and listen to his instincts.

Sam

@cricsam02

🔴 VAIBHAV DEBUT WAS PRE-PLANNED? - Sanju SAMSON EXIT SPARKS BIG DEBATE 🤯 🎙️: Vaibhav was ready for his debut well in advance—it wasn't a last-minute decision. We simply told him to trust his natural game and instincts.

Jul 6, 2026, 8:00 PM

“He was set to debut from the point he came into the team; there is no such thing that he was ready [for his debut only] in the last match,” Kotak said.

He added: “For us, it was all about his game, his instincts and the way he plays, and the way he has played all along to get till this point, he should continue playing that."

Sooryavanshi replaced Samson as Kerala batter dropped from second T20I

Reportedly, the team management, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, had high hopes for Sooryavanshi, and they just eased the youngster into the team environment before handing him his debut.

Samson and Abhishek Sharma started as India’s preferred opening pair for the first three matches (Ireland T20Is, 1st T20I Vs England). However, the Kerala batter failed to deliver the goods as he couldn’t replicate the same form he showed at the T20 World Cup.

As a result, the right-handed batter was dropped from the playing XI, with India giving Sooryavanshi his debut.

The youngster failed in the second game, but he has the backing of the team management as they hope the left-handed batter could repay the trust by scoring big against England.

Also Read: "They Just Hate RCB": Fans Slam BCCI And Gautam Gambhir For IND Vs ZIM Squad Selection