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Former India captain and 1983 World Cup winner Krishnamachari Srikkanth has criticised India’s team management for its handling of teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has been left out of the playing XI during the ongoing T20I series against West Indies.
Srikkanth believes the youngster should have received more opportunities after his impressive performances in previous international matches. His remarks have renewed debate over India’s opening combination and the challenge of balancing established players with emerging talent.
India have preferred Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top of the order in the first three matches of the five-match series, leaving Sooryavanshi waiting for another opportunity.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka, Srikkanth expressed frustration over the management’s decision to keep Sooryavanshi on the sidelines.
He argued that the teenager could have been given opportunities during the West Indies series and questioned whether India had made the most of his recent performances.
Srikkanth’s criticism centred on the potential effect of inconsistent selection on a young player’s confidence. In his view, a promising batter needs a clear run of matches to establish himself rather than repeatedly facing uncertainty over selection.
His comments reflect his personal assessment of the selection policy; the team management has its own considerations when deciding the playing XI.
Sooryavanshi, who is 15, made his India T20I debut during the tour of England in July 2026. He subsequently impressed during the series against Zimbabwe, where he was named Player of the Series after scoring 151 runs.
His aggressive batting and ability to score quickly have made him one of the most closely watched young players in Indian cricket.
However, opportunities at the international level remain competitive. Abhishek Sharma has established himself as an attacking opener, while Sanju Samson has also been part of India’s preferred combination. The selection debate therefore involves both Sooryavanshi’s potential and the roles of the players already in the side.
India’s decision to retain Abhishek and Samson as openers during the West Indies series has become a talking point, particularly with Sooryavanshi waiting for a chance.
Srikkanth has argued that the management should provide players with a consistent opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. Frequent changes, in his view, can create uncertainty for players trying to establish themselves in international cricket.
India’s selectors and coaching staff must also weigh recent performances, team balance, match conditions and the demands of the series when selecting the final XI.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has previously explained that Sooryavanshi may have to wait for opportunities because established players have performed well in the opening positions. Gambhir has also emphasised that selection decisions are made by the team management rather than dictated by outside pressure.
That explanation highlights the challenge facing India: giving a talented young batter exposure while maintaining continuity in a side competing to win a series.
With the West Indies series providing another opportunity to assess the squad, attention will remain on whether Sooryavanshi is included in the playing XI for the remaining matches.
India entered the fourth T20I against West Indies with a 2–1 lead in the five-match series. The upcoming selection decision will determine whether Sooryavanshi gets another opportunity at the top of the order or continues to wait.
Srikkanth’s comments have added to the public discussion, but the final decision rests with India’s team management. For Sooryavanshi, the immediate priority will be to remain prepared for an opportunity and build on the performances that brought him into the national side.
NDTV Sports — Team India Management Has Spoiled Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: K. Srikkanth Explains Where Gautam Gambhir and Co. Went Wrong
Sportskeeda — Former India captain’s comments on Sooryavanshi amid the West Indies T20I series
NDTV Sports — Gautam Gambhir Answers Question After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s T20I Snub
The Indian Express — Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Will Have to Wait for His Opportunity: Gautam Gambhir
