Vaibhav Sooryavanshi missed his sixth straight game as India played New Zealand in the first T20I in Christchurch. Fans got angry and asked for Gautam Gambhir to be sacked. Captain Shreyas Iyer said, "He is very young, he has more years to get opportunities," urging patience for the young talent.
Established openers retained, captain urges patience for young talent.
IND vs NZ 1st T20I Live: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's wait for a place in India's playing XI continued as the 15-year-old was left out of the team for the first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch. The decision marked his sixth consecutive omission from the playing XI, prompting strong reactions from fans on social media, with head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer facing criticism.
Several fans questioned why Sooryavanshi was included in the squad if he was not going to feature in the playing XI. One social media user called for Gambhir to be sacked over the teenager's continued exclusion, while another questioned the treatment of the young batter and demanded to know why he was repeatedly being kept on the sidelines.
Fans Slam Gambhir, Shreyas Iyer Over Sooryavanshi Snub
The criticism followed India's decision to retain their established opening combination of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for the series opener. Both batters played key roles in India's T20 World Cup 2026 triumph earlier this year.
Sooryavanshi, meanwhile, earned his place in the national setup after a record-breaking IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. The left-handed batter has featured in eight of the 24 T20 matches India have played in the format, according to the figures provided.
Some fans also argued that the teenager could have been allowed to play for India A or feature in the Ranji Trophy if the team management did not intend to give him a chance in the playing XI.
Why Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Not Playing?
Shreyas Iyer had addressed the selection situation ahead of the first T20I, saying Sooryavanshi would need to be patient as India's current openers continued to perform.
"He is very young, he has more years to get opportunities. It's not like he can walk in right now, because our openers are scoring consistently, and they have won the World Cup," Iyer said.
India's decision to stick with Samson and Abhishek has therefore left Sooryavanshi waiting for another opportunity, while the latest omission has intensified the debate among fans over his role in the squad.