New India captain Shreyas Iyer confirms 15-year-old Sooryavanshi15-year-old Sooryavanshi will wait for debut
Newly appointed India captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed that 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was not included in the playing XI for the T20I against Ireland in Belfast on Friday.
The young star, who scored 776 runs in the IPL 2026, was instead spotted carrying drinks after the match as Ireland defeated India by 34 runs.
This delay matters because it highlights the team management's cautious approach to nurturing a prodigy while debating whether to prioritize immediate performance over long-term potential.
Indian Leadership
Indian cricket leadership, including captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Kotak, insists that dropping a consistent scorer to give Sooryavanshi an opportunity is not justified, emphasizing the need to protect the teenager's long-term development.
Former International Players
Former international players like Michael Vaughan and R Ashwin express surprise at the snub and urge fans to be patient, viewing the decision as a missed opportunity to showcase a fearless talent who has already dominated domestic cricket.
- Ireland secured their first-ever T20I victory against India, defeating the reigning T20 World Cup champions for the first time.
- Sooryavanshi struck at a remarkable rate of 237 runs per 100 balls in the IPL 2026, marking one of the highest in tournament history.
- The 15-year-old claimed he could hit 13 sixes in a single match, reflecting his extraordinary confidence at a global level.
