‘He Would’ve Taken England’s Pants Off’: Ravi Shastri Explodes Over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Snub… Why Is India Still Keeping Its Teenage Sensation on the Bench?

The debate surrounding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi‘s absence from India’s playing XI has intensified after former India head coach Ravi Shastri launched a passionate criticism of the team management’s selection decisions.

At just 15 years old, Sooryavanshi has already emerged as one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket. After a phenomenal IPL 2026 season with the Rajasthan Royals, where he amassed an astonishing 776 runs to finish as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, many expected the youngster to make an immediate impact on the international stage.

Instead, the teenage sensation has spent his first few weeks with the senior squad watching from the sidelines.

A Rising Star Left Waiting

Following his remarkable IPL campaign and his significant contribution to India’s Under-19 World Cup triumph, Sooryavanshi earned his maiden call-up for the T20I series against Ireland and England.

ALSO READ : “Selection matters… think what’s best for Indian cricket”: Sanjay Manjrekar’s blunt message sparks Rohit Sharma–Jaiswal debate

However, despite India’s disappointing 0-2 series defeat against Ireland, the youngster was not given an opportunity to showcase his talent. He was once again left out of the playing XI during the opening T20I against England in Durham, a match that was ultimately abandoned because of rain.

The decision has puzzled fans and former cricketers alike, with many questioning why a player in such sensational form is yet to receive his debut cap.

Ravi Shastri Doesn’t Hold Back

Known for his straightforward opinions, Ravi Shastri made his frustration clear while discussing the matter.

The former India coach argued that the conditions in Ireland were ideal for a fearless batter like Sooryavanshi and believed the youngster could have completely dominated the opposition attack.

Shastri suggested that India’s management missed a golden opportunity to unleash one of the most exciting talents in world cricket. He pointed out that Sooryavanshi had already proven himself against top-quality bowlers during the IPL and questioned why he was being made to warm the bench instead of gaining valuable international experience.

The ‘X-Factor’ India May Be Ignoring

According to Shastri, what makes Sooryavanshi special is not just his talent but also his fearless approach.

The former coach described him as an “X-factor” player who carries no pressure or baggage. At an age when most cricketers are still learning the basics of professional cricket, Sooryavanshi has already shown the confidence to take on some of the world’s best bowlers.

Shastri believes that if the young batter gets through the opening overs, he has the ability to provide explosive starts that can completely change the course of a T20 match.

His comments reflect a growing belief among cricket experts that India should start investing in the teenager sooner rather than later.

A Record-Breaking IPL Season

The excitement around Sooryavanshi is not based on hype alone.

His 776-run IPL 2026 campaign was one of the most dominant batting performances seen in recent years. Playing for the Rajasthan Royals, he consistently dismantled bowling attacks with remarkable maturity and aggression.

Whether facing pace or spin, the youngster displayed an impressive range of shots and the confidence of a seasoned international player.

Those performances earned him widespread praise and eventually secured his place in the national squad.

Will Manchester Finally Be His Moment?

With the second T20I between India and England scheduled for July 4 in Manchester, attention is once again focused on the team sheet.

Fans are eagerly waiting to see whether the selectors and team management finally hand Sooryavanshi the opportunity many believe he has already earned.

For now, the teenager remains one of the most talked-about names in Indian cricket—not because of what he has done on the field recently, but because of the growing mystery surrounding why he has not been allowed to step onto it.

As pressure mounts and calls for his inclusion grow louder, all eyes will be on Manchester to see if India’s newest batting sensation finally gets his long-awaited chance.