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Three matches into India’s UK tour, and honestly one question is getting louder, among the fans maybe a little too loud. Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi still kind of waiting for his India debut.

 

The young left-handed batter ended up earning a spot in the T20I squad after an absurd IPL 2026 season. He rattled up 776 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of 237, and yes he also slammed a century. That kind of fearless batting, made him one of the tournament’s bigger names , no argument there.

 

But here’s the thing, India have already played two T20Is against Ireland and one versus England… and still Sooryavanshi has stayed on the bench.

 

Sooryavanshi has already shown his quality

 

His IPL work wasn’t just feasting on soft bowling. He went after some of the most dangerous quicks around, including Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Kagiso Rabada, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

 

That fearless style lets him pressurize bowlers from the very first over, not after “settling in” or anything like that. India already have an attacking opener in Abhishek Sharma, and Sooryavanshi, could bring a similar kind of impact from the other side.

 

Honestly, picking a player with that kind of threat level… and then keeping him out of the playing XI again and again, doesn’t really help anyone.

 

Samson’s current rhythm is raising some eyebrows

 

Sanju Samson was the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup, and his value cannot be brushed away. Still, his more recent returns haven’t really gone his way.

 

In his last three T20I innings, Samson has managed only six runs total.

 

• 5 (4) vs Ireland
• 0 (1) vs Ireland
• 1 (7) vs England

 

He’s looked uncomfortable against the new ball, especially when it’s doing something, like when there’s swing or movement for the fast bowlers. And even after that, the team management has continued to back him.

 

Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi is yet to get even a single chance, despite that excellent IPL season.

 

Also Read | ‘He should have played in Ireland’ - Ravi Shastri Criticizes Gautam Gambhir’s Decision

 

India should figure out a role for the youngster

 

Abhishek Sharma has already stacked two fifties in his last three innings, so he really should stay as an opener. But if India also wants to keep Samson in the playing XI then the middle order might need a reshuffle.

 

One option is to drop Tilak Varma and then move Samson to number five.

 

Tilak hasn’t looked too cozy in that spot. In nine T20I innings at number five, he has scored 224 runs, at an average of 28, with a strike rate around 131. During the first T20I against England, he made just 13 runs off 13 balls after getting what looked like a decent platform.

 

Tilak, by contrast, has looked far more at ease at number three in his T20I career, where he’s played with more freedom.

 

Samson at number five could actually fix two things

 

Shifting Samson to number five could solve, kind of, two problems at the same time.

 

First, Sooryavanshi can open alongside Abhishek Sharma and just play his natural attacking game. Second, Samson won’t have to face the new ball, which is exactly where he’s struggled in the recent matches.

 

Samson has handled the middle overs before, so he has the experience to adapt to different situations. Plus, placing him at number five would also give India another right-handed batter in a top-heavy lineup that already includes a few left-handers.

 

India should make the bold call now

 

Sooryavanshi has done everything possible to earn his India debut. His IPLnumbers, fearless intent and ability to flip momentum quickly, make him a very strong candidate for the playing XI.

 

Leaving a player with this much impact on the bench for the entire tour would be a straight-up missed opportunity. India should now go for the bold decision, give the youngster his first international cap, and then see what he can bring before the series goes further.