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Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Was Dropped for India vs West Indies 1st T20I
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News18•06-10-2026, 18:38
Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Was Dropped for India vs West Indies 1st T20I
- •Fifteen-year-old left-hander Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been left out of India's playing eleven for the first T20I against West Indies in Lucknow.
- •Sooryavanshi previously played in the Asian Games in Japan, helping India win the Gold medal by opening the innings with Abhishek Sharma.
- •India opted for a different balance in Lucknow, bringing in all-rounder Naman Dhir in place of Sooryavanshi to strengthen the team composition.
- •Bowling coach Morne Morkel emphasized that even without immediate game time, being around senior players will greatly benefit the young cricketer's development.
- •The updated Indian playing eleven includes changes such as Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, and Kuldeep Yadav coming into the side.
Key Questions Answered
India made a conscious tactical decision to play with one fewer all-rounder for this specific match up, which meant 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi lost out on a starting spot and Naman Dhir was selected in his place.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel stated that spending time in the team environment training at a high standard, traveling with the squad, and being around experienced players will be extremely beneficial for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's cricket development, even when he is not getting game time.
India made multiple changes from the side that played the Asian Games final, bringing in Naman Dhir for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Arshdeep Singh for Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Yadav for Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav for Ravi Bishnoi.
