India captain Shreyas Iyer has backed the team's experienced players amid growing calls for teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make his international debut. Ahead of the T20I series against England, Iyer said the players who helped India win the T20 World Cup deserve continued support and opportunities.
Sooryavanshi, 15, was left out of the squad for the Ireland series, where debut caps were handed to Suryansh Shedge and Prince Yadav. Defending the decision, Iyer stressed that every player in the current setup has earned their place through consistent performances and that maintaining confidence and stability within the squad remains important.
The teenager's exclusion has sparked debate, especially after India's 2-0 series defeat to Ireland. Senior batters Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan struggled with the bat, strengthening calls for Sooryavanshi's inclusion. However, the team management has maintained that he must follow the same development pathway as other players despite widespread belief that he is ready for international cricket.
With a challenging five-match T20I series against England beginning on Tuesday, attention will remain on whether India finally hands Sooryavanshi his long-awaited debut.
