Indian cricket team assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has said that although Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready to play international cricket, the Indian team haven’t yet given up on Sanju Samson and hence,
the teenager would have to ‘bide his time and wait’ before he makes his debut for the senior Indian team.
Sooryavanshi earned a fast-tracked India call-up after a brilliant IPL 2026 campaign, where he was named Player of the Tournament for smashing 776 runs in 16 innings at a staggering strike rate of 237.3.
While the selectors admitted his extraordinary talent and performances left them with little choice, the team management has been more cautious, keeping Sooryavanshi out of the playing XI during India’s surprise series loss to Ireland.
“He is absolutely ready to play international cricket; there is no doubt about that. But also, I think it isn’t a question to say you can leave Sanju Samson out. A guy who went a long way to winning India the World Cup three months ago,” Ten Doeschate said at the post-match press conference.
Samson scored two golden ducks in the two matches against Ireland, but the Indian team is still in no hurry to hand Sooryavanshi a debut, with a five-match T20I series coming up against England.
“It is important in terms of giving players confidence and the message we are sending to players. We want to give guys a long run in the team. So, you know, as ready as Vaibhav is and as excited as we are and you are to see him play, he is going to have to go through the same process as everyone else and, you know, bide his time and wait,” Ten Doeschate said.
All signs from the team management suggest Sooryavanshi’s debut hinges more on the performances of the current top order than on his own credentials.
![[WATCH] Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's first training session with India's senior squad](https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/NkbYTmvnldP0.webp)
