Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played three of 14 matches under Gambhir compared to five of five under Laxman

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has featured in three of 14 matchday squads during Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach. The 15-year-old played in all five matches when VVS Laxman deputised for Gambhir during the T20I series in Zimbabwe and at the Asian Games. Sooryavanshi has scored 246 runs from eight T20Is at a strike rate of 186.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag compared the teenager's aggressive approach to his own, noting that age should not restrict selection if a player demonstrates the required ability. Sooryavanshi was left out of India's playing XI for the fourth T20I against the West Indies despite the ongoing selection debate.

Selectors are expected to announce India's ODI squad for the New Zealand tour around October 25. The five-match ODI series begins on November 4 in Auckland.