India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed on 29 June 2026, that teenage batting star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi must wait for his international debut. This news follows India’s surprising 2-0 series loss to Ireland in Belfast.
Although many fans expected the 15-year-old to play, the team management decided to keep him on the bench. Ten Doeschate explained that while the youngster is absolutely ready, he must follow the same process as every other player.
Why India Kept Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on the Bench
The Indian team management chose to trust established players during the Ireland tour. Even after India lost the first match, they did not change the opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Ten Doeschate said the team wants to give players a long run to build their confidence.
Recently, Sanju Samson helped India win the World Cup. Therefore, the coaching staff believes it is unfair to drop him after only a few low scores. Samson struggled in Ireland with scores of 5 and 0, but his past success keeps him in the team for now.
The assistant coach admitted that Sooryavanshi is talented enough for the highest level. However, he insisted that the boy from Bihar must bide his time and wait. This strategy aims to create stability within the squad.
The Brutal Training Secret Behind His Success
Sooryavanshi’s success is not a result of luck. His childhood coach, Manish Ojha, recently revealed a gruelling training routine. Since the age of eight, Vaibhav practiced for eight hours every single day.
On average, the teenager faced over 600 balls per day. His training started at 7:30 am and continued until 4:00 pm. His father, Sanjeev, played a massive role as he travelled 100 km every other day to take him to a better cricket academy in Patna. This repetitive practice helped him to develop the muscle memory to hit massive sixes.
Scientific Analysis of His Batting Technique
Cricket analysts have studied why a 15-year-old can hit the ball so far. Unlike many players, Vaibhav uses a loading phase similar to professional baseball hitters. He shifts all his weight to his back leg before the ball is released. This allows him to coil his body like a rubber band and release maximum energy when he hits the ball.
Besides, he has a very high back lift. At the top of his swing, his bat is pointing towards the bowler, giving him a longer arc to generate power. He’s quicker than the average by all lengths, with data showing good length and short deliveries.
Sunil Gavaskar Questions the Selection Call
Not everyone agrees with Ryan ten Doeschate’s wait-and-see approach. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise that Sooryavanshi did not debut in Ireland. Gavaskar argued that the Ireland series was the perfect chance to ease him into international cricket.
⭐ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Not Making Debut In Ireland Not On ‘expected Lines’: Gavaskar Expects Course Correction In England | Cricket
Former India Captain Sunil Gavaskar Expects Vaibhav Sooryavanshi To Make His Debut Against England In The Upcoming Five-match Series. The… pic.twitter.com/RXqFAXPk9X
— BoAnalyst Sports (@BoAnalystSports) June 29, 2026
The legend believes that playing against a smaller team like Ireland would have prepared him for tougher matches against England. Meanwhile, Gavaskar warned that Sooryavanshi is a player the selectors cannot ignore for long. He expects the teenager to get a chance during the upcoming five-match T20I series in England.
What is Next for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
Although he missed the Ireland matches, Sooryavanshi remains in the squad for the England tour, which starts on July 1 in Durham. If Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson continue to struggle, the team might finally hand the teenager his cap.
Beyond the England series, Sooryavanshi is also part of the India squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. If he makes his debut soon, he will become India’s youngest-ever international cricketer. He would even beat the record held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
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