India’s biggest selection blunder: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi left on the bench against Ireland

What was the Indian team management thinking when head coach Gautam Gambhir left Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out of the playing XI, saying the child prodigy would get his chance later? The reasoning, it seems, was that he didn’t want to undermine the current T20 world champions by dropping Abhishek Sharma to accommodate Sooryavanshi in the Ireland series that India lost in Belfast on Sunday.

In hindsight, it’s an embarrassment of sorts. A player capable of scoring a fifty off just 12 deliveries was left warming the bench. Even a local coach, anywhere in the world, would ask: if not in a series like this against Ireland, then when do you give a talent like Sooryavanshi his opportunity?

As the music from the Uilleann pipes—the traditional bagpipes of Ireland—filled the air, it became clear that Ireland had every reason to be relieved that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wasn’t playing either of the two matches.

After losing the opening T20I against Ireland, India persisted with the same batting line-up, as if the defeat had merely been an accident. But after losing the series, the reality was far more painful. India went down in the second T20I by a solitary run.

A player capable of scoring a 50 off just 12 deliveries spent the entire series warming the bench. Even a local coach, anywhere in the world, would ask: if not against Ireland, then when do you give a talent like Sooryavanshi his opportunity?

Even Rajasthan Tourism, one of the series sponsors, might be wondering why Sooryavanshi wasn’t picked. Given his popularity as a Rajasthan Royals star, many would have expected him to feature. In hindsight, it looks like a major misjudgement.

Even the wind played a key role, but going into the match without an in-form batter like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was a mistake that could dent the reputation of the reigning T20 World Cup champions.

It also raises a larger question: are bilateral T20I series being treated seriously enough?

It now seems likely that Abhishek Sharma may have to make way for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the very start of the England series. More importantly, a strong message needs to go out to every player that no one can take their place in the XI for granted. Form and performance should determine selection, not reputation alone.