Expected to play both games: Sunil Gavaskar surprises by leaving out Sooryavanshi for Ireland

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said he was surprised that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did not get a debut during the ongoing Ireland T20I two-match series. The veteran batsman feels the teenage sensation was ready for international exposure and believes the England white-ball series could be his next big opportunity under T20I captain Shreyas Iyer.

The Ireland tour was seen by many as a chance to test the up-and-coming players, especially after Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise through the IPL put him firmly in the national conversation.

“I expected Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make his debut in the Ireland series,” Sunil Gavaskar told India Today, underscoring his expectations from the tour selection. “I thought he would play both matches. That would be a very good way to help him in international cricket before the tougher Tests coming up,” he added, stressing that the Ireland series offered a relatively controlled environment for the young batsman to transition into international cricket.

Gavaskar believed India would pair Sooryavanshi with either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson as the opener in each of the two matches. However, India opted for continuity and stuck with their established World Cup-winning T20 core as they looked to maintain stability in their playing XI. Despite coming into the series on the back of a winning campaign, the management chose not to experiment too much, favoring experienced combinations at the top of the order and in the bowling unit.

Sooryavanshi’s selection followed an outstanding IPL season in which the teenager emerged as one of the most exciting young batting talents in the country. His fearless approach, ability to attack bowling attacks of international quality and maturity beyond his years made him a talking point even before the team was announced.

Despite the hype, however, he remained on the bench in Ireland as India leaned on proven performers in a short two-match series where every result carried weight in building momentum for the next phase of their T20 cycle.

DEBUT VS ENGLAND?

Looking ahead, Gavaskar is confident that Sooryavanshi’s wait will not be long.

“He will definitely get his chance,” Gavaskar said, hinting that the youngster is very much in the selectors’ plans for the near future. “They are players you don’t ignore for too long. If not in Ireland, then in the England series he should move around,” he added, suggesting that squad rotation and workload management could open the door for the teenager.

While India’s immediate focus is on maintaining balance and consistency, Gavaskar’s remarks reflect a growing belief that Sooryavanshi is close to breaking into the senior side.

Gavaskar further emphasized that modern T20 cricket often requires quick integration of in-form players, especially those who show fearless intent at the top of the order. He pointed out that India’s depth across formats allows selectors to manage transitions carefully without rushing players unnecessarily. At the same time, he recognized that exceptional talent rarely stays out of contention for long.

For now, the teenager continues to be one of the most keenly watched prospects in Indian cricket, with anticipation building for when he finally makes his international debut. With India gearing up for a busy white-ball calendar, opportunities in the form of rotation, injuries or tactical changes could easily open the door for Sooryavanshi sooner rather than later.

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Published on:

28 Jun 2026 20:33 IST