‘Give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi the harsh truth’: Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir explains management approach

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Gautam Gambhir Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s continued absence from India’s XI has left fans frustrated, but former India player Murali Kartik believes there is no reason for the team management to sideline the 15-year-old when the established opening options are performing well.Despite being named player of the series during India’s tour of Zimbabwe, Sooryavanshi did not feature in the subsequent T20I series against Afghanistan and the West Indies. The teenage batsman is also yet to make his senior debut for India at home, despite his performances in the IPL making him one of the most talked about young talents in the country.His absence became the talk of India’s home matches, with fans hoping to see him play. Sooryavanshi was given the opportunity to open alongside Abhishek Sharma during the Asian Games, offering a glimpse of his potential, but his wait for a regular place in the senior XI continues.In an interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network, Kartik supported the management’s decision to retain the existing opening combination and highlighted the contributions of Sanju Samson and Abhishek. He also pointed to the presence of Ishan Kishan, whose recent form has made the battle for a place at the top of the order even more difficult.“I’m not someone who makes a change for the sake of it. I know change is constant, but change for the right reasons. There has to be a reason why the change happens. So, in terms of the opening duo in India, I know they are a bit inconsistent, but that’s what has won matches for you,” Karthik said.Samson and Abhishek have amassed 1,125 runs in 38 T20Is together, making them India’s fourth highest-scoring partnership in the format. Kartik believes their record, combined with the quality of the other batsmen available, makes it difficult to justify a change simply to suit another up-and-comer.“We’ve seen the quality of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, they’re both sitting right up there. Then you’ve got Ishan Kishan, who’s your number one, the number one player, so it’s very difficult to make a change.

Kartik draws comparisons with Yashasvi Jaiswal

Kartik also compared Sooryavanshi’s situation to that of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who found options in India’s white-ball setup limited despite impressive performances in Test cricket and the IPL.With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill established at the top of the order in ODIs, Jaiswal had to wait for his chance in the format. Kartik sees a similar challenge for Sooryavanshi, whose talent is not talked about but who has to contend with players already occupying the positions he is aiming for.“Yes, we’re excited because he’s an exciting talent. We’re not taking anything away from him, but at the end of the day, it’s like Yashasvi Jaiswal in white-ball cricket. Are you making that change just to knock someone out?”“I don’t think I’m in favor of it. I’ve never been in favor of it. I don’t think I’ll ever be in favor of it in the future,” Karthik said.The former spinner emphasized that a player’s ability alone does not automatically justify a change in the playing eleven. In his view, the selection decision must be based on a clear need rather than the excitement surrounding the young prospect.

‘You have to wait for your chance’

Kartik acknowledged that Sooryavanshi’s opportunity could come if one of the established batsmen goes through an extended lean patch. The youngster made his India debut in England as Samson struggled for runs, illustrating how changes in form can open doors for players waiting on the sidelines.However, Kartik said that it is impossible to predict when such a situation might arise. Until then, Sooryavanshi must remain ready to step in whenever the team needs him.At the end of the day, we cannot predict what will happen. Tomorrow, one of the batsmen may go 15 innings without a run and you will be forced to make a change.“So at that point, you want a second guy waiting. A guy waiting outside the door, ready to come out and say, ‘Listen, I’m there.’“And that’s exactly how it should be handled, rather than saying, oh, we like him, people want to see him, so let’s bring him in. No, that’s unfair to the guys who are already there,” Karthik said.Apart from the selection, Kartik feels it is important for the team management to be honest with Sooryavanshi about his position in the team. He pointed to reports from head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer who emphasized that the youngster must remain patient and consistent in his preparation.Kartik said that while hearing such a message can be tough for a player who is eager to prove himself, it is better to tell the truth than to remain uncertain about his future.“Even if you have to give them the harsh truth, it’s better to give it to them because you’re going to take it on the chin. You may not like it; it’s not palatable for a while, but it is what it is. You have to deal with it and move on.”“I think that’s the best way to go about it. Because Shreyas talked about it, Gautam talked about it, I’m pretty sure he and Sooryavanshi have the right word because it’s there. Nobody’s saying it’s not there. It’s just sometimes when others are doing well, you can’t. It’s unfortunate,” Karthik said.