Shreyas Iyer says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi must wait behind Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson
Shreyas Iyer told Vaibhav Sooryavanshi he must wait for his chance behind Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
India captain Shreyas Iyer told Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on Saturday that the team still backs its established openers, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. Sooryavanshi stayed out of all five T20Is against the West Indies despite a strong IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. At the post-match presentation, Iyer told the youngster to stay consistent with his process and mindset while he waits for an opening.
The series ended in a 2-2 draw after rain ended the fifth match after 7.4 overs. Iyer said the result could have been different if India had bowled better in the second and fourth matches. He credited West Indies captain Shai Hope, who finished as the leading run-scorer with 261 runs.
Sooryavanshi's last international appearance came in the Asian Games final against Pakistan. He has played eight T20Is and scored 246 runs at a strike rate of 186.36, including two half-centuries.
CricHubb Take
India's depth chart now places a proven 15-year-old behind two World Cup-winning openers who are both in form. The policy protects short-term stability but risks losing the very player the system is designed to protect.