Shreyas Iyer Says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Must Wait for T20I Chances as India Back Established Openers
India captain Shreyas Iyer has made it clear that teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will need to remain patient for regular opportunities in the T20I team, with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson continuing to strengthen their positions as openers through consistent performances.
Sooryavanshi, who was selected for India’s tours of England and Ireland earlier this year, has played only eight of the 21 T20Is the team has featured in so far. Despite earning recognition as one of the country’s most promising young batters, the 15-year-old has struggled to secure a regular place in the playing XI as Abhishek and Samson continue to occupy the opening slots.
Speaking ahead of India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, Iyer acknowledged Sooryavanshi’s potential but stressed that the youngster could not expect an automatic place in the side while the existing opening combination continued to perform.
“It’s important that a talent like him (Sooryavanshi) should always be happy around the dressing room,” Iyer said.
“He is very young, he has more years to get opportunities. It’s not like he can walk in right now, because our openers are scoring consistently, and they have won the World Cup.”
Abhishek and Samson played key roles in India’s successful defence of the T20 World Cup title earlier this year, making it difficult for the team management to alter the established opening partnership.
What Has Iyer Told Sooryavanshi?
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 ability to attack bowlers from the outset.
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 opportunity at the international level.
Iyer said he had consistently advised Sooryavanshi to focus on his preparation and remain committed to his processes rather than become discouraged by limited playing time.
“I just keep telling him you will get the opportunity, if you be consistent about your processes, you have to wait sometimes, we have got two fantastic openers, that’s the conversation we have been having with Vaibhav,” Iyer said after the fifth T20I against the West Indies was washed out.
The series finished 2-2. Iyer acknowledged that India could have achieved a better result with improved bowling performances in the second and fourth matches, while also praising West Indies captain Shai Hope for his contributions with the bat.
Gautam Gambhir Has Also Urged Patience
Iyer’s remarks echo the message from head coach Gautam Gambhir, who previously addressed Sooryavanshi’s absence from the playing XI during India’s T20I series against Afghanistan.
Gambhir said the teenager would have to wait for his opportunity despite his considerable talent. He explained that players with a longer record of consistent performances would naturally remain ahead in the selection order.
“From Vaibhav’s point of view, it is again a very clear conversation that he has to wait for his opportunity. We know the kind of talent he has. We know what he can do. But again, someone who done extremely well over a period of years obviously will always be ahead of someone who has got into the team,” Gambhir had said.
He added that Sooryavanshi would receive a longer run once his opportunity arrived, underlining the importance of competition within the Indian team.
Gambhir also emphasised that patience was necessary for every cricketer, irrespective of age or reputation.
“And that is what Indian cricket is all about. We want competition, we want that talent in the dressing room. But sometimes that’s how cricket goes. Whether it is a 15-year-old or a 30-year-old, you have to wait for opportunity,” he said.
New Zealand Tour Could Help Sooryavanshi Gain Experience
While regular selection remains uncertain, Iyer believes exposure to overseas conditions will benefit Sooryavanshi in the long run. Familiarity with different pitches and playing environments could help the young batter prepare more effectively for future international assignments.
“So, if you see, when he is coming overseas, he will get a fair idea how to play on these particular wickets,” Iyer said.
He added that the experience would help Sooryavanshi understand the conditions better on subsequent visits and potentially share his knowledge with teammates who are visiting those venues for the first time.
India are scheduled to begin the T20I leg of their New Zealand tour on October 22. With Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson continuing to deliver at the top of the order, Sooryavanshi faces the challenge of staying prepared and making the most of his next opportunity.
For the teenage batter, the message from India’s leadership remains clear: talent has opened the door, but patience, preparation and competition will determine when he gets another chance in the playing XI.
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