NEW DELHI: India’s batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has expressed surprise at Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s absence from the T20I series against Ireland, saying he should have given the teenage batting sensation his international debut before the tougher task in England.The 15-year-old, who enjoyed a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, was benched during the two-match series as India slumped to a shock 0-2 defeat against Ireland, including a dramatic one-run defeat in the second T20I.“I expected Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make his debut in the Ireland series,” Gavaskar told India Today.“I thought he would play both the matches. It would be a very good way to introduce him to international cricket before the tougher Tests to come,” he added.Gavaskar said he expected the team management to rotate the starting combination and allow Sooryavanshi to partner either Abhishek Sharma or Sanj Samson during the series.“It was not expected when India went to Ireland. Because at that stage I honestly thought that since Ireland were not seen as a real threat, young Suryavanshi would be given a debut in the first game with either Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson. And in the second game again with either of them. So he would play both the matches,” he lamented.
‘These are the players you don’t ignore’
Despite missing out in Belfast, Gavaskar believes it is only a matter of time before Sooryavanshi pulls on the India jersey.“He will get his chance for sure. These are the players you don’t ignore for too long. If not in Ireland, then in the England series he should be the backbone,” Gavaskar said.The former India captain expects the upcoming five-match T20I series in England to provide an ideal opportunity for the youngster to make his debut.I think he will play in one of the games, if not all the games in England, he said.Gavaskar also pointed to Sooryavanshi’s remarkable achievements in domestic cricket as the reason for the excitement surrounding him.“We saw the other day who gets to a half-century in List A cricket in just 11 deliveries, the fastest in List A cricket. Those are things that are unimaginable. Those are things that are really, really very, very special,” Gavaskar said. “That’s why there’s excitement around him. That’s why the belief is that he should play. And that’s why so many want to see him in Indian colors.”The team management calls for patienceHowever, India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate defended the decision to keep Sooryavanshi on hold despite insisting the teenager is ready for the highest level.“He’s absolutely ready to play international cricket, there’s no doubt about that, but Sanju Samson is also a guy who has come a long way to win the World Cup three months ago,” Ten Doeschate said after the back-to-back defeats against India.The Dutchman emphasized that India wants to keep faith in players who have already proved themselves at the international level.“It’s important to give the players confidence… We’re all excited to see Vaibhav play, but he has to go through the same process. There’s certainly no doubt about how good he is.”With India now heading to England for a five-match T20I series starting on July 1, the focus on Sooryavanshi’s much-anticipated debut is expected to intensify once again. If selected, the 15-year-old will become India’s youngest international cricketer ever, eclipsing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.
