India captain Shreyas Iyer has said teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will need to be patient and wait for his opportunities in the T20I team, as established openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson continue to perform consistently at the top of the order.
Sooryavanshi, who was selected for India's tours of England and Ireland earlier this year, has played only eight of the team's 21 T20Is so far. Despite being regarded as one of India's most promising young batting talents, the 15-year-old has struggled to secure a regular place in the playing XI, with Abhishek and Samson firmly occupying the opening slots.
Speaking ahead of India's five-match T20I series against New Zealand, Iyer said there was no doubt about Sooryavanshi's ability but stressed that the youngster could not expect immediate inclusion while the current openers continued to deliver.
Iyer said it was important for a young talent like Sooryavanshi to remain comfortable and happy in the dressing room. He added that the teenager had several years ahead of him to get opportunities and would have to wait because India's openers were scoring consistently and had helped the team win the World Cup.
Abhishek and Samson played key roles in India's successful defence of the T20 World Cup title earlier this year, further strengthening their positions at the top of the batting order. Sooryavanshi must therefore wait for an opportunity to open up in a side where the established pair continue to perform.
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE TO VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI?
Sooryavanshi was given a chance to open during the Asian Games, with Samson moving to No. 3 to make room for the teenager. He scored 53 runs in two matches at a strike rate of 176.66, showcasing his aggressive batting approach.
However, he remained on the bench throughout India's T20I series against the West Indies, raising questions about when he would receive a more sustained opportunity in the team.
Iyer said he had repeatedly advised Sooryavanshi to stay patient, trust his preparation and avoid becoming frustrated by limited playing time.
After the fifth T20I against the West Indies was abandoned due to rain, Iyer said he had been telling the youngster that opportunities would come if he remained consistent with his preparation and processes. He reiterated that India already had two outstanding openers, which had been the subject of their discussions.
The series finished in a 2-2 draw. Iyer acknowledged that India might have achieved a different result with better bowling performances in the second and fourth matches. He also praised West Indies captain Shai Hope for his batting during the series.
GAMBHIR ASKS VAIBHAV TO BE PATIENT
Iyer's remarks reflected the stance taken by head coach Gautam Gambhir when he was questioned about Sooryavanshi's absence from the playing XI during India's T20I series against Afghanistan.
Gambhir had said the teenager would have to wait for his chance despite his considerable potential. He explained that players who had delivered consistent performances over several years would naturally remain ahead in the selection pecking order.
The India coach said Sooryavanshi had considerable talent and that the team understood what he could achieve. However, players with a longer record of strong performances would continue to receive preference. Gambhir added that when the teenager eventually got his chance, he would also be given a longer run in the side.
He further stressed that competition for places was fundamental to Indian cricket and that players, regardless of whether they were 15 or 30, sometimes had to wait for opportunities.
For Sooryavanshi, the immediate task is to stay prepared for his next chance while learning from the experienced players around him. Iyer also highlighted the benefits of exposing the teenager to overseas conditions, saying the experience would help him understand how to bat on different pitches.
Iyer said that travelling abroad would give Sooryavanshi a clearer understanding of how to approach those conditions. When he returns in the future, he would be better prepared and could also share his knowledge with teammates visiting those venues for the first time.
India will now head to New Zealand for the T20I leg of their tour, which begins on October 22. With Abhishek and Samson continuing to hold the opening positions, Sooryavanshi is likely to remain on the sidelines as he waits for a regular place in the senior team.
