"Gambhir Politics": India Fans Fume After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Ignored For Suryansh, Prince Yadav

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Gautam Gambhir [Source: AFP]

The much-awaited international debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been delayed again by the Indian team management. One of the biggest talking points in the lead-up to India’s two-match T20I series in Ireland, the 15-year-old failed to make it to the playing XI in the first T20I on June 26 earlier this week.

However, the youngster was also excluded from the second T20I, with the team management handing maiden caps to fast bowler Prince Yadav and batting all-rounder Suryansh Shedge instead. The decision sparked much outrage from Indian cricket fans, with several of them taking to social media to target head coach Gautam Gambhir and the rest of the Indian team management.

Indian fans lash out at Gambhir as Sooryavanshi debut delayed again

Indian fans will have to wait a little longer for the much-awaited international debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The prodigious batting talent was excluded from the Indian playing XI for their must-win series-decider against Ireland on Sunday, June 28 in Belfast. 

Also Read- Sanju Samson Given Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Threat After Poor Outing In 1st T20I vs Ireland

Several Indian cricket fans expressed their frustrations and called out head coach Gautam Gambhir and the rest of the team management. Here is a look at how some of the fans reacted after learning of Sooryavanshi’s absence from India’s playing XI in the second T20I.

Mufaddal Vohra

@mufaddal_vohra

NO VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI TODAY AS WELL. - Suryansh Shedge and Prince Yadav making their T20i debut.

Jun 28, 2026, 5:30 PM

Cricket Virus

@CricketCup20

@mufaddal_vohra Might be management is in fear if Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets the chance he will score big and Abhishek or Sanju place will be in danger

Sourabh Raut

@xzx_slipknot

@mufaddal_vohra Shame on selection. This is clearly insecurities of top order batters. Vaibhav deserves chance against Ireland atleast 🫡

Jun 28, 2026, 5:31 PM

Krishna

@krishna89699799

@mufaddal_vohra Then why was he put to travel all the way from India to Ireland alongwith his parents?? Just to have some fun...??

अंकुश

@ankushtweets

@CricCrazyJohns Sony LIV promoted this series in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s name, but he didn’t get a chance to play.

Vishwanath Patil

@patilvishi

@BCCI Why no Vaibhav? Management is waiting for any muhrutum to introduce him?

ɢȏʋιηԀ ɢαԀε ♪

@SirGovindGade

VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI MISSED A WELL DESERVED DEBUT GAMBHIR POLITICS WILL RUIN HIS CAREER TOOO

King kohli fan

@vamsivamsi_1007

@BCCI No Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the playing XI today hurts big time! 💔

Jun 28, 2026, 5:43 PM

Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not playing second T20I vs Ireland?

Indian captain Shreyas Iyer did not reveal any exact reason behind the exclusion of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the playing XI of the second T20I. However, the senior Indian batter responded with an explanation in detail a couple of days ago when he was asked about the youngster’s fate before the first T20I. 

At the time, Iyer said that the team management wanted to give opportunities to existing players for the time being. 

As of now, it seems like Sooryavanshi will make his international debut at some stage of India’s upcoming white-ball tour of England next month instead. 

It is worth noting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi recently won the coveted Orange Cap of the IPL 2026 season, and blasted 94 off just 29 balls against Sri Lanka A in a tri-series final. 

Prince Yadav and Suryansh Shedge make debuts in decider

Suryansh Shedge and fast bowler Prince Yadav are both their respective debuts for India in T20I cricket. While Suryansh received his maiden cap from firebrand opener Sanju Samson, Yadav was handed his cap from all-rounder Shivam Dube. 

Both Prince and Shedge recently underwent an impressive IPL 2026 season. While the fast bowler picked up 16 wickets in 14 innings in an otherwise high-scoring tournament, the Punjab Kings all-rounder scored 158 runs in seven innings at an astonishing strike rate of 175.55.

Shreyas Iyer will continue to lead the side, and he will be accompanied by several star attractions like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, vice-captain Tilak Varma among others. Here is a look at India’s entire playing XI for the second T20I against Ireland. 

India Playing XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav.

Also Read- Who Has Suryansh Shedge Replaced To Make India Debut In 2nd T20I vs Ireland?