‘He should’ve played, would’ve taken their pants off’: Ravi Shastri fumes over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi benching

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has strongly criticised the team management for not handing teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his international debut during the T20I series against Ireland, saying the 15-year-old should have been given an opportunity immediately.

Sooryavanshi was included in India’s squad for the T20I tour of Ireland and England, but remained on the sidelines as Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson opened the batting in all three matches played so far — two against Ireland and one against England in Durham.

Shastri said he could not understand why the youngster was left out, arguing that the conditions against Ireland would have perfectly suited his attacking style.

“Arrey, woh khelna chahiye tha yaar (He should have played). It was such a slow and spongy track. He would have smacked them on the terrace, it was such a small ground. He would have taken their pants off. He should have definitely played there,” Shastri said on Sony Sports Network ahead of the first T20I against England.

While he was uncertain whether Sooryavanshi would get a chance during the England leg of the tour, Shastri urged the selectors and team management to blood him as soon as possible.

“Give him a game as soon as possible. He has smashed everyone in the IPL. Which fast bowler did he spare? And you’re making him warm the bench,” he added.

India’s decision to stick with the existing opening combination came under greater scrutiny after the team suffered a 2-0 series defeat to Ireland, marking Ireland’s first-ever bilateral series victory over India.

Despite the result, Shastri maintained that Sooryavanshi possesses the qualities to transform India’s top order.

The teenager has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past year. He captained India to the Under-19 World Cup title, scoring 175 in the final, before producing a record-breaking IPL 2026 season in which he won the Orange Cap with 776 runs, becoming the youngest player to achieve the feat.

Shastri believes the youngster’s fearless approach is exactly what India need.

“He is the X-factor, does not have any baggage. He is just 15, has the exuberance of youth. He has no fear, and if he gets going in the first two or three overs, he will give you the kind of start that the middle order can capitalise on. You will have to make space for him,” Shastri said.

With four T20Is still remaining on the England tour, Sooryavanshi could yet get the opportunity to make his India debut.