India captain Shreyas Iyer has made it clear that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s T20I opportunity will depend on patience and consistency, with established openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson continuing to deliver for the national team. Despite being one of India’s most promising young batting talents, the 15-year-old is unlikely to secure a regular place while the current opening pair remains in form.
Sooryavanshi was selected for India’s tours of England and Ireland earlier this year. However, he has featured in only eight of the 21 T20Is played by India so far, highlighting the challenge of breaking into a settled international side.
Speaking ahead of India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, Iyer said Sooryavanshi’s talent was not in doubt but stressed that consistent performances from the existing openers made immediate selection difficult.
Iyer pointed out that Abhishek and Samson had played important roles in India’s successful defence of the T20 World Cup title. Their contributions have strengthened their positions at the top of the batting order.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Asked to Trust His Process
Sooryavanshi received an opportunity to open during the Asian Games, when Samson moved to No. 3 to accommodate the teenager. He scored 53 runs across two matches at a strike rate of 176.66, showcasing his aggressive approach.
However, the youngster remained on the bench throughout India’s T20I series against the West Indies, raising questions about when he might receive an extended run.
Iyer said he had encouraged Sooryavanshi to remain positive, trust his preparation and understand that opportunities sometimes take time to arrive.
The captain also acknowledged that India could have achieved a different result in the West Indies series with better bowling performances in the second and fourth matches. The series finished 2-2 after the fifth T20I was washed out.
Gautam Gambhir Delivers a Similar Message
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has also emphasised patience, explaining that players who perform consistently over several years will naturally remain ahead in the selection order.
Gambhir said Sooryavanshi would receive a longer run when his opportunity arrived, while stressing that competition for places is an essential part of international cricket.
Iyer also highlighted the value of exposing the teenager to overseas conditions. The experience, he suggested, could help Sooryavanshi understand different pitches and prepare for future assignments.
India’s T20I tour of New Zealand is scheduled to begin on October 22. With Abhishek and Samson continuing to occupy the opening positions, Sooryavanshi’s immediate priority is to stay prepared and make the most of his next opportunity.
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