Indian Fans Lash Out At Gautam Gambhir As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Debut Cancelled vs Ireland

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Gautam Gambihir [Source: screengrab, AFP]

Indian cricket fans eagerly waiting for the debut of teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi might have to wait a little longer than expected. The 15-year-old, selected in Team India squad for the T20I tours of Ireland and England, was widely expected by fans to make his international tour in the first match of the Ireland series itself.

However, Sooryavanshi was excluded from the Indian playing XI from the first T20I of the series in Belfast on Friday, June 26. The decision sparked much outrage from Indian fans online, with several of them taking to X to target national head coach Gautam Gambhir and the rest of the Indian team management.

Indian fans target Gambhir over absence of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in XI

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will not be making his Team India debut in their first T20I of the two-match series in Ireland on Friday, June 26. The 15-year-old was excluded from the Indian playing XI in Belfast, with the team management including spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar in the group instead. 

Also Read- What Happened The Last Time Shreyas Iyer Played A T20I For India Before Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Debut?

Several Indian cricket fans lashed out at head coach Gautam Gambhir for apparently delaying his debut, considering seeing the youngster in action for India was one of the biggest talking points heading into the series. Here is a look at how some of the fans reacted after learning of Sooryavanshi’s absence from the playing XI in the series-opening first T20I.

Mufaddal Vohra

@mufaddal_vohra

NO VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI FOR INDIA. 💔 - India opted to bowl first.

Jun 26, 2026, 5:37 PM

Cricket and society

@Cric46966

@CricCrazyJohns Why no suryavanshi?? So sad for him

Rahul Patel

@rahul225234

@CricCrazyJohns 💔💔

Jun 26, 2026, 5:36 PM

Inside Out

@inoutcricket

@mufaddal_vohra The man who created the interest for this match is not playing himself 🥲

Ujjwal Pandey

@ujjwal_pan82122

@CricCrazyJohns No Vaibhav ❌ No batting First after winning Toss ❌ Pathetic Captain and management ✅

Akash Verma

@akashvibes

@CricCrazyJohns The only reason to watch this Bilateral match was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 🔥 He was the USP of the Series. Also the Poster Boy used during the Promotions. Not interested in watching this anymore.

Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not playing first T20I vs Ireland?

India’s newly-appointed captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed at the toss that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will not be making his international debut in the first T20I against Ireland. 

The cricketer said that the team management wants to give opportunities to existing players at the moment. However, Shreyas did confirm that Vaibhav will soon be receiving his opportunity in the playing XI, thus hinting his international debut before the second T20I of the tour. 

Shreyas Iyer said “We have got tremendous players. We are backing majority of your players who have done marvellous job. Yes, he will get a chance. But right now, we are going with two genuine seamers, one all-rounder and two spinners.”

India opts to bowl first in Belfast

Indian captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to field first at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont, Belfast. 

T20 World Cup 2026 heroes Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma were all retained in the playing XI alongside Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh. Fast bowlers Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna were making their respective returns to the team after missing the showpiece event.

India's playing XI vs Ireland in 1st T20I: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna.

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