Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has criticised the Indian men’s team for delaying Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s international debut, saying the 15-year-old had already done enough to earn a place in the side. De Villiers felt the youngster should have been given his first chance during the recent two-match T20I series against Ireland, which India surprisingly lost 0-2.
Sooryavanshi forced his way into India’s T20I squad on the back of a record-breaking IPL 2026 season, where he scored 776 runs while also finishing with a sensational strike rate and a remarkable number of sixes. Despite that form, he is yet to make his debut, having remained on the bench during the Ireland series and again missed out in the rain-hit opening T20I against England.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers said Ireland would have been the ideal setting for the teenage opener to experience international cricket. “When will he be unleashed? I thought the Ireland series was the perfect opportunity for him to come in and get a feel for international cricket. It was unfortunate that he never got an opportunity,” de Villiers said.
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India’s team management has, however, continued to back the established top three of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate recently echoed that view, saying Sooryavanshi needed to wait his turn like any other young player.
De Villiers disagreed with that approach and said Sooryavanshi’s IPL form deserved a more immediate reward. “I beg to differ with Ryan Ten Doeschate saying Sooryavanshi has to go through the process like any other player. After the IPL he had, it was time to throw him into the deep end, especially against a lower team like Ireland,” he said.
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With the second T20I against England coming up on Saturday, India may need to make a tough call if Sooryavanshi is to finally get his maiden cap. One of Samson or Kishan may have to make way, especially after both have struggled for consistency in recent matches.
