Dismiss Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from Indian unit? “It’s heartbreaking, but there’s no other way,” says the former cricketer

India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (PTI Photo) Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faces an uphill battle to break into India’s T20I playing XI, with the team’s established top-order options leaving little room for the 15-year-old.Sooryavanshi is part of India’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting on November 22. However, the teenager did not get a single opportunity during the recently concluded home series against West Indies, which ended in a 2-2 draw.Chopra feels that the youngster’s absence from the playing XI is primarily a result of a lack of available slots rather than a question of his ability. He suggested that rotating top-order batters could be a way to give Sooryavanshi opportunities, although he acknowledged that the idea did not find much support.On his YouTube channel, the former India batsman was asked if Sooryavanshi should replace Tilak Varma in the XI given that the latter is perceived to be inconsistent.“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not getting a chance because no space is being created for him. Whose place should you play him? To be fair, he can only play in place of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma or Ishan Kishan,” replied Chopra.“When three people are doing well, you can’t suddenly get a chance. I know it’s heartbreaking, but there’s no other way. Nobody agrees with the method I’m suggesting. You can make a rotation. Give all four in the rotation a chance,” he added.

Chopra suggests a Ranji Trophy engagement if Sooryavanshi remains on the bench

Chopra also argued that keeping Sooryavanshi in the team without giving him any playing time throughout the series would serve little purpose. In such a situation, he believes the teenager should be released to play in the Ranji Trophy instead.The youngster has made an encouraging start to his T20I career, scoring 246 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of over 186, including two half-centuries. Despite his impressive numbers and reputation for aggressive batting, he is yet to get a consistent opportunity in the current international setup, with the more experienced Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma preferred at the top of the order.

“Shooting arrows at Tilak Varma is not right”

Chopra also defended Tilak Varma and disagreed with the suggestion that the Indian vice-captain was under-performing and should make way for Sooryavanshi.“If you are saying that Tilak Varma is not performing at all, then what you are saying is a bit wrong. Tilak Varma hit two centuries while playing at No. 3. After that he got injured and had a minor problem before the World Cup,” he said.The former India opener pointed to Tilak’s contributions in the middle and lower middle order and argued that his recent performances should not be overlooked simply because he has not always batted in his preferred position.“The World Cup didn’t start well, but since it ended, he has done a good job, whether you see the performances in the Asian Games or now. The fact is that he has done really well in the middle and lower middle order. So I feel it is not right to shoot arrows at Tilak Varma,” remarked Chopra.