‘How come Vaibhav Sooryavanshi didn’t play?’: Former England captain baffled by India’s decision

India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (ANI Photo) The excitement surrounding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has gone beyond India and the 15-year-old is attracting the attention of cricket fans around the world. Such was the hype surrounding the teenage sensation that tickets for India’s T20Is in Ireland were snapped up by supporters hoping to see him in action. However, Sooryavanshi remained on the sidelines for the entire two-match series.The story didn’t change after India traveled to Durham for the T20I against England. Despite growing anticipation surrounding his international debut, the youngster once again had to settle for a place on the bench. His continued omission has left several former cricketers, including Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar, confused. Now former England captains Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook have also questioned India’s decision. On the Stick to Cricket podcast, Vaughan admitted that he did not understand why Sooryavanshi was not given the opportunity, even suggesting that he would like to take the question directly to the BCCI and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.“We have to tell the BCCI and the selector Ajit how come he didn’t play against Ireland? Our friend Kid,” Vaughan said on the Stick to Cricket podcast, to which Cook replied: “I’ll be there tomorrow as a fan to make sure the 15-year-old plays.”While Vaughan and Cook’s comments reflected growing curiosity about Sooryavanshi’s absence, the chances of the Indian team management changing course appear slim. Selectors and coaches have consistently argued that the teenager’s opportunity will come at an opportune time.Currently, Sooryavanshi’s path to the playing eleven is blocked by Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, both of whom remain firmly entrenched in India’s T20I side. Having played a key role in India’s third T20 World Cup triumph four months ago, he is not expected to lose his place anytime soon.Even so, Sooryavanshi’s omission continued to fuel debate given the extraordinary rise he has enjoyed over the past five months. The left-hander first led India Under-19 to the World Cup title, smashing a breathtaking 175 in the final. He then carried that momentum into the IPL, amassing 776 runs to become the youngest Orange Cap winner in history.Before joining the senior team for the tour of Ireland, Sooryavanshi also impressed for India A in Sri Lanka. His match-winning 94 in the final included the fastest half-century in List A cricket and was instrumental in India’s overall victory, further strengthening the case for those eager to see the teenage prodigy make his international debut.