Change it. Fix it. That seems to be the mantra many Indian fans believe in. Irrespective of the format, whenever India lose a match, social media is flooded with calls for change. Underperforming players are criticised, and fans demand their omission from the playing XI. In the world of social media, one failure is often enough to make a player the target of relentless trolling.
Several players have come under heavy criticism following the recently concluded series against Ireland. Captain Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar have all found themselves under the scanner. In many cases, the criticism is understandable, given their inability to adapt to the conditions and perform to their potential. Even the team management has not escaped scrutiny.
Ireland’s historic series win over India has raised several uncomfortable questions. The past four days have been among the toughest for Indian cricket. On Monday, the squad arrived in Durham ahead of the five-match T20I series against England.
“Make it happen. Make the change. Bring him in.” That has been the overwhelming message from a large section of fans, all calling for one selection that they believe could transform India’s fortunes.
They want to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi make his international debut.
Even before the Ireland series, much of the discussion centred on when Sooryavanshi would make his debut — in the first T20I or the second. Contrary to popular expectation, he did not feature at all during the tour. Instead, Prince Yadav was handed his debut, while Suryansh Shedge, who joined the squad as a replacement, also got his opportunity.
Before the opening T20I, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said Sooryavanshi would get his chance. Captain Shreyas Iyer echoed a similar sentiment at the toss. After the series, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate’s message to the youngster was to “bide his time and wait”.
Wait — but until when? Another series? Another tour?
The Ireland series presented the ideal opportunity to ease Sooryavanshi into international cricket. The management, however, chose otherwise. To be fair, dropping any of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan before the series would have been difficult, considering their contributions during the World Cup. As a top-order batter, Sooryavanshi would almost certainly have replaced one of those three.
But circumstances have changed. Samson and Ishan both endured disappointing series, giving the selectors genuine reason to rethink their combination.
If the question is whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready, his bat has already answered it.
Over the past two months, no Indian batter has piled up more runs in white-ball cricket. Every innings has strengthened the belief that Indian cricket has unearthed a rare talent. His rise has been rapid, but it has not been accidental. It has been built on performances against the very best.
The IPL, widely regarded as the toughest T20 competition in the world, is where reputations are tested. Sooryavanshi did more than survive — he flourished. He took on elite fast bowlers without hesitation, lofting Kagiso Rabada’s 145 km/h deliveries straight back past the bowler and launching Jasprit Bumrah over the ropes off the very first ball he faced from him. Those are not the shots of a player overwhelmed by the occasion; they are the shots of someone who belongs on the biggest stage.
Topping the run-scoring charts in an IPL season is no stroke of luck. It demands consistency, temperament and the ability to deliver under relentless pressure. Sooryavanshi has already shown he possesses all three.
He is only 15, but age increasingly feels like the least important detail in his story. After a series like the one against Ireland, India do not just need a change in personnel; they need fresh energy, fresh belief and a fearless approach. Sooryavanshi represents all of that.
The wait has been long enough. Now is the moment to hand him the cap.
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