Our Bureau
Mumbai
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the Indian team management’s decision to not hand teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his international debut during the T20I series against Ireland, saying the young player could have benefited from the exposure ahead of tougher challenges.
Gavaskar’s comments came after India suffered a surprising setback against Ireland, losing the two-match T20I series 0-2. The defeat triggered discussions over team selection, with the omission of the 15-year-old prodigy becoming a major talking point among cricket experts and fans.
The batting legend said he expected Sooryavanshi to feature in the Ireland series, believing that the tour would have been an ideal opportunity to introduce him to international cricket before more demanding assignments. Gavaskar felt that giving the youngster game time against Ireland could have helped him adjust to the pressure and expectations of senior-level cricket.
Sooryavanshi earned attention after his rapid rise through domestic and franchise cricket. His explosive batting performances made him one of India’s most talked-about young talents, leading to calls for an early international opportunity.
However, the team management opted to continue with established openers during the Ireland series, choosing experience over youth despite growing public demand for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion. India’s unexpected series defeat intensified the debate over whether the youngster should have been given a chance.
The discussion comes at a time when India is looking to balance immediate results with the development of future stars. While some former cricketers have backed an early debut for Sooryavanshi, others have stressed the importance of a gradual transition into international cricket.
With upcoming matches against stronger opponents ahead, Gavaskar believes the Ireland series represented a missed opportunity to prepare the young batter for bigger challenges. The selection debate has once again highlighted the difficult choices teams face while managing emerging talent and experienced players at the highest level.
