India face selection dilemma over whether to include 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of second T20I against West Indies

India face a selection decision over whether to include 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the second T20I against the West Indies in Ranchi on Friday. Sooryavanshi has been part of the squad but has not yet played, with the management backing the established opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. Samson scored 11 in the series opener and has managed only single-digit scores in recent matches.

Sooryavanshi impressed in the nets in Ranchi, repeatedly clearing the boundary during the optional session. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said the team had not yet decided the XI. Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar said the competition in the top order was healthy and that selection would depend on form and fitness.

Sooryavanshi scored the fastest fifty in List A cricket off 11 balls in June 2026 and smashed 175 off 80 balls in the Under-19 World Cup final. Coach Chandrakant Pandit said once picked, the teenager should be backed consistently.