The excitement surrounding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has gone far beyond India and the 15-year-old has caught 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 fans hoping to watch him in action. However, Sooryavanshi was sidelined during the two-match series.The story didn’t change after India traveled to Durham for the T20I against England. Despite the growing anticipation surrounding his international debut, the youngster once again had to settle for a place on the bench. His continued absence has left several former cricketers perplexed, including Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar. Now former England captains Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook also questioned India’s decision. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Vaughan admitted that he could not understand why Sooryavanshi was not given a chance, 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 coach, Ajit, how come he didn’t play against Ireland? Our mate, the Kid,” Vaughan said on the Stick to Cricket podcast, to which Cook replied: “I’m there tomorrow driving as a fan to make sure the 15-year-old kid plays.”While Vaughan and Cook’s comments reflected growing curiosity over Sooryavanshi’s absence, the prospect of a change in direction by the Indian team management appears slim. The coach and coaching staff have consistently maintained that the opportunity for the teenager will come at the right time.Currently, Sooryavanshi’s path to the playing XI is blocked Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samsonand both remain firmly established in India’s T20I side. After playing key roles in India’s third T20 World Cup triumph four months ago, neither batsman is expected to lose his place anytime soon.Despite this, Sooryavanshi’s absence continued to fuel debate given the remarkable rise he has experienced in the past five months. The left-hander first captained India Under-19 to the World Cup title, scoring an incredible 175 in the final. He then carried that momentum into the IPL, amassing 776 runs to become the youngest ever Orange Cap winner.Before joining the senior squad 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 played a decisive role in India’s comprehensive victory, further strengthening the case of those eager to see the teenage prodigy make his international debut.
