Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in action (Source: AFP Photos)Many were surprised to see India’s playing XI against Japan on Tuesday, as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had no place. India’s 15-year-old did not play a single match in the recently concluded T20I series against Afghanistan, so many expected him the play against Japan.Instead of Sooryavanshi, the Shreyas Iyer-led side opened with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma against Japan. Abhishek fell for a golden duck, and Samson didn't last long either.At one point, India looked set to lose to Japan, thanks to a dismal batting display on a tough pitch at Sano International Cricket Ground, Sano, Kanto. However, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar saved them from probably cricket’s biggest upset ever.Japan Captain Reacts To Sooryavanshi Not Making India’s Playing XIJapan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, who earlier made a comment on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi before the India vs Japan T20I match, opened up about Sooryavanshi missing out on a place in India’s playing XI.At the same time, Kadowaki-Fleming highlighted the performance put on by 17-year-old Charlie Hinze, who took the wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer."He's (Charlie Hinze) our 17-year-old prodigy. I was a little bit disappointed that the 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav [Sooryavanshi] wasn't part of the [India] team sheet today," Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming told the broadcasters after the match.Also Read: India 200 T20I Wins List: Record Against Each TeamHinze bowled only two overs in a five-over-per-side match because of rain. He gave up 17 runs for two wickets.When Charlie Hinze Picked Up Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's WicketHinze and Sooryavanshi faced each other once when India U19 and Japan U19 met in Sharjah for an Under-19 Asia Cup group-stage match.There, Hinze claimed Sooryavanshi’s wicket for a run-a-ball 23. Sooryavanshi's wicket could have made for an interesting mini-battle had India given him a chance to bat against Japan.In that match, India posted 339/6, batting first. Japan, in reply, could only muster 128/8, resulting in them suffering a monumental 211-run defeat.Now, it will be interesting to see whether Charlie Hinze has done enough to get a place in any team for IPL 2027 when the mini auction will take place in the second week of December.When Could Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Play Next?However, Sooryavanshi is included in India’s squad for the Asian Games 2026. He will play under Shreyas Iyer, with all first-team players in Japan for an action-packed schedule.India will play their first match in the Asian Games 2026 on September 28 at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin. One of Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal, who are placed in Group A, will be their first opponent.Now, there is no guarantee that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will play for sure on September 28. If India qualify for the next round, he will have two more chances to play, with the competition scheduled to end on October 3.Also Read: Who Was India’s Captain In 1st, 50th, 100th, 150th, And 200th T20I Wins?
