Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has played just 10 T20Is for India | PC- AFP
World Cup-winning opener and former chief selector Kris Srikkanth has openly mocked the Indian team management for "discouraging" Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The 15-year-old prodigy was in the Indian squad for the T20I series in New Zealand, where he played two matches before being dropped after a blistering knock of 45.
Kris Srikkanth questions Sanju Samson's selection over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
While speaking on the Indian team management's treatment of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Kris Srikkanth stated that the teenager should have played in the home T20Is vs West Indies.
"Where should have Vaibhav played? Ideally, those two matches against Ireland. You made a mess of that. And against a weak bowling unit like the West Indies, you didn't play Vaibhav at all," Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Although the legendary opener praised Sanju Samson, the 66-year-old said he could have scored against that West Indies bowling lineup, which toured India earlier this year.
"Yes, Sanju Samson was outstanding. He was outstanding in the T20 World Cup. No doubt. But, the West Indies bowling that visited India, I would score runs against them at this age. It's a series for improving stats," he added.
Furthermore, Srikkanth asked head coach Gautam Gambhir and company to groom the child prodigy by giving him chances, rather than benching him on tours.
"Give him chance and groom him. Instead of encouraging him, you're discouraging that boy. I want to ask why he didn't play the West Indies series. This boy has to play, instead you're completely discouraging that boy. The opposition don't have any clue if Abhishek and Vaibhav open. You saw it in New Zealand," Srikkanth said.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making stronger case with explosive batting show
Various pundits and former cricketers have backed the selection of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the current T20I team ahead of Sanju Samson, opening the innings with the gung-ho Abhishek Sharma.
The two attacking left-handers proved their backers correct during the third T20I between India and New Zealand, when they shared a record opening stand of 133 runs in just 7.1 overs. As a result, India cruised past the 199-run target with 40 balls to spare.
Earlier in IPL 2026, Sooryavanshi set the stage on fire by smashing 776 runs at a record strike rate of 237.31.
His spectacular innings helped him earn a spot in the Indian side. So far, the 15-year-old has played 10 matches and scored 295 runs at an average of 185.53.
