New Delhi: India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has defended the team’s decision not to hand teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his international debut during the T20I series against Ireland, despite the side suffering a historic series defeat.
The 15-year-old batter, who earned his maiden call-up following record-breaking performances in the Indian Premier League and for India A, remained on the sidelines as India were whitewashed in the two-match T20I series in Belfast.
India prioritised continuity in selection
Vaibhav was not included in the playing XI for either of the two T20Is and watched as India’s batting line-up struggled throughout the series.
Led by Shreyas Iyer, India failed to dominate either match and ended the tour without a victory.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson, who was instrumental in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, endured a disappointing series with scores of 5 and 0.
Despite growing calls for Vaibhav’s inclusion, Ryan ten Doeschate insisted there was no urgency to rush the teenager into international cricket.
“He’s absolutely ready to play international cricket, there’s no doubt about that. But also, I think it’s not a question to say you can leave Sanju Samson out. A guy who went a long way to winning India the World Cup three months ago. A guy who’s had a fairly good IPL,” the assistant coach said.
Management wants to give players a longer run
The former Netherlands international said the Indian team management intends to give players an extended run in the side as it embarks on a new cycle under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership.
“It is important in terms of giving players confidence, and the message we’re sending to players. We want to give guys a long run in the team. So, as ready as Vaibhav is and as excited as we are and you are to see him play, he’s going to have to go through the same process as everyone else and bide his time and wait,” he said.
He, however, reiterated that there were no doubts regarding the youngster’s talent and readiness for the international stage.
Teenager arrives on back of record-breaking performances
Vaibhav travelled to Ireland after producing remarkable performances for India A, including a record-breaking innings against Sri Lanka A in the tri-series final in Dambulla.
The teenager smashed an 11-ball half-century, the fastest fifty recorded in List A cricket, and narrowly missed a century after being dismissed for 94 off just 29 deliveries.
His explosive innings further strengthened calls for an immediate promotion to the senior national side.
Echoes of Samson’s own wait for opportunities
Doeschate’s comments also mirrored remarks made by former India captain Suryakumar Yadav during the T20 World Cup 2026, when he had defended the decision to keep Sanju Samson out of the playing XI despite India’s opening struggles.
India eventually brought Samson into the side, and the wicketkeeper-batter responded with three successive impactful innings that played a crucial role in helping the team secure its third T20 World Cup title.
England series offers fresh opportunity
Although Vaibhav missed out on making his international debut in Ireland, the young batter remains in contention to earn his maiden cap during India’s upcoming white-ball tour of England.
India will next travel to England for a series comprising five T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals, with Vaibhav included in the T20I squad.
Had he played in Ireland, the 15-year-old would have become India’s youngest-ever international debutant. For now, however, the highly rated youngster may have to wait a little longer before realising his dream of representing the country at the highest level.
Comments are closed.