Kembali
The rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has created an interesting selection challenge for the Indian selectors and the team management. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already shown that he is already ready to dominate international cricket, but finding a permanent place for him in India's crowded T20I batting lineup is becoming really tough.
India has several explosive options at the top of the order, including Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan. The selectors and team management face a situation where one talented batter could miss out whenever another player returns to the playing XI. Amid this, Glenn Phillips credits IPL for shaping his game after match-winning century against India.
The ongoing T20I series against New Zealand has once again highlighted this problem. The 15-year-old sensation made headlines with his explosive 45-run knock during India's record-breaking opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma (113) in Wellington.
The duo added 133 runs together. However, Sooryavanshi did not feature in the fourth T20I after Ishan Kishan returned to the team. This has raised questions about India's plans for the teenage batter and whether the team management is ready to give him a consistent run in the T20I side.
India should stop treating Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's selection as a direct battle against Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, or Ishan Kishan. Instead, the Indian team management needs to introduce a planned rotation policy, particularly during bilateral T20I series.
India has enough opportunities to give different players a chance without permanently dropping anyone. If Abhishek has played several consecutive matches, he can be rested for one game to allow Sooryavanshi to open alongside another batter.
Similarly, Samson and Kishan can be rotated depending on their workload, form, and the team's requirements. This would help India manage their top-order resources while ensuring that talented players do not spend too much time on the sidelines.
One of the biggest challenges for a young player is adjusting to international cricket. Sooryavanshi has already experienced the pressure of playing against quality bowling, and he needs regular opportunities to understand the demands of the highest level.
Selecting the left-hander for one match and dropping him in the next will not help his development. The team management should give Vaibhav a proper run of matches to judge his performances.
At the same time, India must avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the youngster. He is only 15, and his development should be handled carefully for the sake of his bright future. Amid this, Stephen Fleming supports Team India's decision to drop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in 4th T20I vs New Zealand.
India should also look beyond immediate results and start preparing their batting combination for the ICC T20 World Cup 2028. Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have already shown the damage they can cause together.
Their aggressive approach could become a major weapon for India in the coming years. However, Samson and Kishan also deserve opportunities to prove their value.
A rotation policy would allow the team management to test different combinations and understand which players work best together.