For cricket enthusiasts tuning into India’s T20 international fixtures, a familiar query invariably surfaces before the first ball is bowled: Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not featuring in the starting XI? The question has become a staple of pre-match discussions across social media platforms and sports broadcasts alike, driven by the prodigious talents of the 15-year-old batting sensation.
Ahead of India’s crucial second T20I encounter against New Zealand, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed this ongoing public curiosity, offering a candid assessment of the delicate balancing act required when managing a player of such tender age.
"He is really young, but the way everyone in the team management takes care of him – I keep an eye neutrally – and everyone likes him, social media likes him, team also likes him. But you can’t make changes to the XI because people like him," Kotak remarked. "He is very talented and I believe he has a bright, bright future ahead. So once he gets his opportunities and settles down, he will learn a lot of things."
That opportunity may arrive sooner rather than later. Sooryavanshi is strongly positioned to break into the playing eleven for Saturday’s fixture following an injury setback to experienced campaigner Ishan Kishan. Kishan sustained a right adductor strain during the opening match of the series, paving the way for the teenager to potentially step into the side.
While Kotak expressed excitement at the prospect of seeing the young batter showcase his skills on the international stage, he also reflected on the unintended pressures that the intense external hype has placed on the player. The clamor for his inclusion, Kotak noted, has created a challenging environment not just for Sooryavanshi, but for the broader team dynamic as well.
"I felt that at the start, there was a lot of hype that ‘he has to play’. I genuinely felt that wasn’t good for the player also," Kotak explained. "Just a 15-16-year-old boy, and everyone saying ‘he should play’ and ‘he isn’t being picked’ and so on. He is too young. It’s something I can’t control but it’s sad. And it’s sad for the other openers also, who are performing but people are saying ‘why is he playing’."
In recent months, India has heavily relied on an established top-order trio comprising Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan, leaving limited room for experimentation at the top. Despite Sooryavanshi’s undeniable abilities, the team management has prioritized continuity and performance from these senior options.
However, Kotak believes the period of waiting and observation has yielded positive behavioral and mental shifts in the young prodigy.
"Now he is much more mature. He understood that Sanju is playing well, or Abhishek is playing well – how can they be left out," Kotak said. "The middle order is also packed. Everyone understands that but of course he wants to play. If I were in his place I would too. But he is a simple boy. It’s not like he has complained or looked downcast. See, hitting ability is one thing, and the things you learn by being at this level day after day is another thing. He will learn that. This [waiting for his turn] will do a lot of good to him."
Managing Sooryavanshi’s motivation levels has been an ongoing priority for the coaching staff. The left-hander earned his maiden T20I cap in early July, hot on the heels of a stellar, Player-of-the-Tournament performance during the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League. Yet, international opportunities have been relatively sparse; out of India’s 19 T20I fixtures played since that debut, Sooryavanshi has featured in only seven.
When discussing technical guidance, Kotak emphasized the importance of preserving the youngster’s natural instincts while offering subtle mentorship regarding match awareness.
"What I have normally spoken to him about is discussing what shots to play when the ball moves around and things like that. But I won’t tinker with his intent or the way he approaches the game unless there is a major reason for doing so," Kotak stated.
Elaborating on Sooryavanshi’s unique batting style, the coach highlighted the distinct approach the teenager employs against opposition bowling attacks.
"He has so much ability that he doesn’t really struggle. He just decides what shots to play. There are batters who choose the shots based on the merit of the delivery. There are other batters who decide what shots to play irrespective of what the ball is doing and creates that shot. Vaibhav is in the latter category. He dominates bowlers. If I see that he can do something different to certain deliveries, then we will discuss it. But yeah, he is an unbelievable talent."
Kotak: Naman Dhir is ‘a power-packed player’
While the spotlight frequently centers on Sooryavanshi, another burgeoning talent has rapidly captured the attention of the Indian coaching staff. Naman Dhir, who is merely nine matches into his international career, has quickly demonstrated his match-winning credentials in the lower-middle order.
Dhir first turned heads with a blistering unbeaten knock of 24 runs from just six deliveries during a rain-affected final T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru on October 17. He followed that impactful cameo with an even more decisive performance in the series opener against New Zealand, smashing an unbeaten 42 off a mere 15 balls to anchor a successful chase of a formidable 226-run target.
Kotak expressed immense satisfaction with Dhir’s rapid adaptation to the international arena, noting that the player’s utility extends well beyond his explosive batting capabilities.
"Actually, we know he is capable of doing and we also know that he is capable of bowling more than he has in first-class cricket or Vijay Hazare Trophy and all that," Kotak observed. "Yesterday, there was Sanju, Abhishek, and Shreyas and Axar too, but his role at the end was also very, very important. He is a power-packed player, he knows what is expected [of him] and he exactly does that, which is a great sign."
The coaching staff also values Dhir’s versatility as an offspinner and a reliable fielder, attributes that provide crucial balance to the team combination, particularly when facing opposition lineups featuring multiple left-handed batsmen.
"In a T20 match, if there are lots of left-hand batters in the opposition, an offspinner can even bowl four overs and, depending on the situation, he can bowl one or two overs too. He is someone who can field really well and can make an impact with the bat in that finisher’s role," Kotak said.
Concluding his assessment of the young all-rounder, Kotak underscored the immense promise Dhir brings to the squad as India continues to build depth for future international challenges.
"It is too early, but I feel he is very promising. His batting technique, the way he builds his base quickly, the power he has, he is a very exciting talent."
Comments (0)