Ravi Shastri Slams Shreyas Iyer, Gautam Gambhir For Benching Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Urges Immediate T20I Debut

Former India all-rounder and ex-head coach Ravi Shastri believes the Indian team missed the perfect opportunity to hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his T20I debut during the Ireland series. He said the youngster's attacking style would have been well suited to the slow pitch and shorter boundaries, making Ireland an ideal place to introduce him to international cricket.

Shastri also highlighted Sooryavanshi's outstanding IPL season, where the young opener dominated some of the best bowlers in the tournament and finished with the Orange Cap. He questioned why a player in such impressive form was left waiting on the sidelines and expressed hope that he gets an opportunity in the ongoing England series.

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“Arey wo khelna chahiye tha yaar. Ireland main hi khilana chahiye tha. (He should’ve player in the Ireland T20I series) It was such a slow and spongy track and a small ground. He would've hit it on the roof. I don't know whether they will give him a chance here or not. They should play him as soon as possible. He has beaten everyone in the IPL. He hasn't spared any fast bowler and you're making him warm the benches,” Shastri said on Sony Sports.

The former coach described Sooryavanshi as an X-factor player because he bats without fear and brings the confidence that often comes with youth. In Shastri's view, the left-handed opener has the ability to take the game away from the opposition in the powerplay, allowing the middle order to build on a strong start.

Samson failed to fire runs in 1st T20I vs England

While the debate over Sooryavanshi's debut continues, Sanju Samson is struggling to score runs. The wicketkeeper-batter made only one run in the opening T20I against England before being caught at point by Tom Banton off Saqib Mahmood. Although Samson produced three consecutive half-centuries during India's successful T20 World Cup campaign, including in the semifinal and final, he has managed only six runs across his last three T20I innings.

Abhishek Sharma, however, has carried his good form into the England series. After scoring 49 against Ireland, he followed it up with a blistering 59 from just 24 deliveries in the first T20I against England.

India lost Ishan Kishan early after he was run out without scoring, but Abhishek and captain Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings with an 82-run partnership. Iyer continued his fine knock after Abhishek's dismissal, making 68 from 47 balls to record his first T20I fifty as captain. Shivam Dube then added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 42 off 21 balls, helping India reach 189/7.

India vs England 1st T20I ended without result

Rain interrupted play several times during India's innings before becoming much heavier during the interval. As a result, England were unable to begin their chase and the match ended without a result.

The focus now shifts to the second T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester, on July 4, where all eyes will be on whether Sooryavanshi finally receives his first international cap.