Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has called for 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be included in the playing XI for India’s upcoming first T20I against England, expressing strong disappointment over the youngster’s continued omission from the side. Gavaskar’s remarks come in the wake of India’s 2–0 T20I series defeat to Ireland, which has triggered scrutiny of the team’s selection decisions and overall approach.

India’s recent loss in Belfast, including a narrow one-run defeat in the second T20I, has added pressure on newly appointed skipper Shreyas Iyer, who endured a difficult start to his captaincy tenure. While the team management backed the experienced opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, Gavaskar questioned the decision to leave Sooryavanshi on the bench despite his recent domestic form.

Sooryavanshi, who recently made headlines with a record-breaking fast List-A fifty off just 11 balls, has been widely discussed as one of India’s most promising young talents. Gavaskar argued that the England series presents the ideal opportunity to test emerging players and urged the management to consider restructuring the batting order to accommodate the teenager, even if it means dropping a middle-order batter.

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Speaking on the matter, Gavaskar said that the selectors should not delay Sooryavanshi’s debut any further and suggested that he could be tried either as an opener or at No. 3. He stressed that while the youngster may or may not succeed immediately, early exposure at the international level is crucial for talent development, especially in high-pressure overseas conditions like England.

The former captain further added that introducing Sooryavanshi could provide an element of surprise against England, which might help India reset after their disappointing tour of Ireland. However, he also acknowledged that disrupting the current opening partnership after just two matches could be a difficult decision for the team management, even if middle-order changes remain an option.

As India prepares for the T20I series opener in Durham on July 1, the debate around Sooryavanshi’s inclusion has intensified, reflecting broader discussions about balancing experience with youth in the national setup. While the final XI is yet to be confirmed, Gavaskar’s comments have added significant public pressure on selectors to consider giving the teenage sensation his long-awaited international debut.

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