Cricket selection can be ruthless, but it should at least be logical. The recent decision to leave Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out of India's playing XI for the first T20I against Afghanistan has sparked a heated debate — and for good reason. The 15-year-old had done everything asked of him and more.
A Star in the Making
Sooryavanshi was arguably India's best performer in the recent T20I series against Zimbabwe. He not only finished as a decisive contributor but also walked away with the Player of the Series award as India completed a 3-0 sweep. His composure, strokeplay and ability to perform under pressure at such a young age looked anything but ordinary.
If that wasn't enough, he carried that momentum into the Duleep Trophy 2026, scoring valuable runs for East Zone. He did not just knock on the door — he kicked it open.
'Sooryavanshi Didn't Do Anything Wrong'
That's the view of a former India star, who has questioned the logic behind retaining Sanju Samson in the playing XI while Sooryavanshi warmed the bench. The ex-international's message is clear: the teenager's omission is not a reflection of his performance, but a worrying sign of how selection sometimes defaults to reputation over current form.
Sooryavanshi didn't do anything wrong. He was the best player in the last series. He deserves to play.
Samson, for all his undeniable talent, has been inconsistent in recent outings. And while experience matters in international cricket, so does form.
A Question of Message
What message does this send to young cricketers performing at domestic and international levels? If a 15-year-old can win Player of the Series in Zimbabwe and score runs in the Duleep Trophy, and still be overlooked, then selection becomes less about merit and more about pre-series planning that refuses to adapt to evidence.
No one is suggesting Sooryavanshi should walk into every game. But when a player has done everything right, ignoring him entirely is hard to justify — especially when the incumbent at the top of the order is struggling to convert starts.
What Should India Do?
The T20I against Afghanistan was a missed opportunity to test depth and reward form. With a young squad and an eye on the future, the management could have handed Sooryavanshi a chance, even if it meant shuffling the batting order or rotating a senior pro.
At 15, the youngster has time on his side. But that is exactly why the debate matters. If he is not selected now, after being the best player in the last series, then when will he be?
The Bottom Line
Selection debates are never black and white. But the Sooryavanshi controversy is not about proving someone wrong. It is about doing justice to a young player who has done absolutely nothing wrong. The next time India names a T20I XI, the selectors must ask themselves: are we picking the best eleven, or simply sticking with the safest names?
Sooryavanshi has earned his place. It's time the team management earned their credibility back.