Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Labelled Reason Behind Indian Players' Insecurity

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [AFP]

On July 4, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi finally made his international debut in 2nd T20I between India and England at Manchester. 

The teenage sensation earned his maiden India cap after a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, where he won the Orange Cap by scoring 776 runs in 16 innings at an average of 48.50 and an astonishing strike rate of 237.

Moreover, Sooryavanshi's rise has been phenomenal since Rajasthan Royals picked him up ahead of IPL 2025. However, his inclusion in India's playing XI has also sparked a wider debate over team selection and player security.

R Ashwin Links Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Selection To Players' Insecurity

Although Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut was widely celebrated, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the youngster's selection came at the cost of creating insecurity among senior players.

Sanju Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India's victorious T20 World Cup 2026 campaign earlier this year, was dropped from the playing XI after registering three single-digit scores across the tours of Ireland and England. 

Consequently, his omission paved the way for Sooryavanshi to become India's youngest-ever international cricketer.

However, Ashwin questioned the decision to drop an established performer after only a few failures, arguing that such moves send the wrong message to the rest of the squad.

Also Read: Who Faces Gautam Gambhir's Wrath If Sanju Samson Comes Back In India's Playing XI

R Ashwin Questions Indian Team Management

Speaking on his YouTube channel, 'Ash Ki Baat', Ashwin said that dropping Sanju Samson after just three matches was unfair and could negatively affect the team's environment. 

"Dropping Sanju Samson from the team after just three matches was absolutely not the right decision. If I were in charge, I would have handled it in a much better way. 

I would have directly told Sanju Samson that he would get two or three series, and if he could perform, he would stay in the team; otherwise, I would have to look at Vaibhav or other young players," Ashwin said.

Furthermore, he pointed out that Suryakumar Yadav had previously been treated in a similar manner, which could leave players feeling insecure about their place in the side.

"But dropping a player who has the highest level of performance in a World Cup after just three matches is completely unfair. Because of this, the team environment is also getting worse. Earlier, Suryakumar Yadav was also removed in a similar way, and now Sanju Samson as well," Ashwin further said.

"As a result, players will start feeling insecure, thinking that if they fail in just one or two matches, they will be thrown out of the team. This is ultimately harming the Indian team itself. Such decisions are absolutely unacceptable," he added.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Debut Ends In A Four-Wicket Defeat 

Meanwhile, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's first international innings lasted only 10 balls. The 15-year-old scored 14 runs on debut before being stumped by Jos Buttler off Will Jacks after charging down the track and missing the ball completely.

Although it was a modest start on paper, the youngster showed intent during his brief stay at the crease.

Nevertheless, India's eventual four-wicket defeat further intensified discussions surrounding the team's selection decisions. Meanwhile, India will now face England in the third T20I at the Trent Bridge on July 7. 

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