‘I expect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to debut’. Sunil Gavaskar questions India’s call after Ireland retreat |: Cricket News:
NEW DELHI: India’s batting legend: Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise at Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s omission from the T20I series against Ireland, saying the teenage batting sensation should have been given his international debut ahead of the tougher task in England.The 15-year-old, who enjoyed a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, remained on the bench throughout the two-match series as India slumped to a shock 0-2 defeat against Ireland, including a dramatic one-run loss in the second T20I.“I expect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make his debut in the Ireland series,” Gavaskar told India Today.“I thought he would play two matches. That would be a very good way to ease him into international cricket before the tougher tests to come,” he added.Gavaskar said he expects the team management to rotate the opening combination and allow Sooryavanshi to partner either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson during the series.“It was unexpected when India went to Ireland. Because at that stage, I honestly thought that with Ireland not seen as a real threat, they will give the young Suryavanshi a debut in the first game with either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson. And in the second game again, either of them. So he will play two games,” he lamented.
‘These are the kind of players you don’t ignore’
Despite the Belfast loss, Gavaskar believes it is only a matter of time before Sooryavanshi dons the India jersey.“He will definitely get his chance. These are the types of players you don’t ignore for a long time. If not in Ireland, then in the England series he should be around the mix,” Gavaskar said.The former India captain is looking forward to the upcoming five-match T20I series in England which will provide a good opportunity for the youngster to make his debut.“I think he will play one of the games, if not all the England games,” he said.Gavaskar also pointed to Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary exploits in domestic cricket which caused the excitement surrounding him.“We saw the other day, who reached a half-century in List A cricket in just 11 deliveries, the fastest in List A cricket. These are unimaginable things. “That’s why there is excitement around him. That’s why the belief is that he should be played. And that’s why many want to see him don the colors of India.”Group management encourages patienceIndia assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, however, defended the decision to wait for Sooryavanshi despite insisting that the teenager is ready for the highest level.“He is absolutely ready to play international cricket, there is no doubt about that, but also Sanju Samson is a man who won us the World Cup three months ago,” Ten Doeschate said after India’s series defeat.The Dutchman emphasized that India wants to keep faith with players who have already delivered at the international level.“It is important to give confidence to the players… We are all excited to see Vaibhav play but he has to go through the same process. There is certainly no question about how good he is.”With India now heading to England for a five-match T20I series starting July 1, the spotlight on Sooryavanshi’s long-awaited debut is expected to intensify once again. If selected, the 15-year-old will become India’s youngest international cricketer, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.
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