Deja Vu For Sanju Samson As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Debut Brings Back Painful IPL Memory

Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: AFP Photos]

The circle of life comes around in multiple ways, and Sanju Samson probably saw a tragic result for himself, where, in both cases, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi turned out to be his substitute, both in the national team and his former Indian Premier League franchise. 

As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his India debut against England in the second T20I on July 4, Sanju Samson was made to sit out of the national side to make place for the young 15-year-old prodigy. 

Sooryavanshi Replaces Sanju Samson In IND vs ENG 2nd T20I

As many argued over Samson's place in the playing XI after a poor series of performances in the Ireland T20I and the first England T20I, Vaibhav's inclusion finally seems to have justified India's decision from the think tank. 

India fielded Vaibhav Sooryavanshi alongside Abhishek Sharma as the opening batting pair while ousting Sanju Samson from the second T20I. And it kind of became a deja vu moment for the now Chennai Super Kings star, who was traded from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 trade window.

How Sooryavanshi Replaced Sanju Samson To Make His IPL 2025 Debut For RR?

For the unaware, earlier in the IPL 2025 season, ooryavanshi actually replaced Sanju Samson in the same manner, but for different reasons to make his IPL debut.

Sooryavanshi was picked up by the Rajasthan Royals franchise for a massive amount during the IPL 2025 auction, and his historic debut had Samson sidelined. 

Sooryavanshi's IPL debut came in the Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants clash, where he played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. At just 14 years and 23 days old, he became the youngest debutant in IPL history as Samson was sidelined due to an abdominal injury. 

Also Read- "The Youngest Ever": Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India Debut Breaks Internet

Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Replaced Samson In RR vs LSG IPL Match?

He sustained the abdominal strain while batting against Delhi Capitals, which ruled him out of the Lucknow Super Giants clash. As the top order was vacant, the Rajasthan Royals squad did not have any other specialised and available openers at that time. 

The team was seriously in need of a traditional top-order batter, and Sooryavanshi fit all the right places. He was the like-for-like tactical fit for Sanju Samson and was selected as the perfect choice to open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. 

In his debut match, Sooryavanshi scored 34 runs from 20 deliveries on April 19 but followed it up with a 38-ball 101 in the April 28 match against Gujarat Giants to announce his arrival on the big stage.

India Looking At Vaibhav As The Top Order Salvation Option

As Sooryavanshi is currently opening for India alongside Abhishek Sharma, he now carries huge pressure, especially after having a magnificent IPL 2026 run. 

He was the Orange Cap winner for the season and averaged 48.50 while striking at 237.31. The teen prodigy now sits with tons of expectation since he almost came to the verge of breaking Chris Gayle's T20 record of scoring a 30-ball century in the 2026 IPL season.

Nevertheless, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have a lot of responsibility as India looks to turn things around in the second T20I against England after the first match was washed out by rain at Chester-le-Street.

Also Read- Gautam Gambhir Consoles Sanju Samson As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Takes His Spot