New Delhi: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s historic wait for India continues after new captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed that the 15-year-old batsman has not been included in the playing XI for the opening T20I against Ireland in Belfast on Friday.Sooryavanshi was tipped to show off to the world after a spectacular ride. Had he shown up, the youngster would have eclipsed the youngest player to represent India in men’s international cricket. Sachin TendulkarA history of 37 years. On the toss, however, Iyer ended speculation before explaining that the decision was driven by the team’s ranking rather than the youngster’s readiness.“Going to the field first. It’s a new place for us, first time in Belfast. Considering the conditions, the environment and the wicket, it requires the field first. Need to get used to the situation quickly. We will take one match at a time. Always keep saying that you should not mess things up,” Iyer said.Asked if Sooryavanshi would start, the pilot replied: “Unfortunately, no.”He then assured the fans that the youngster is still in India’s mind.“He (Sooryavanshi) will get his chance when the time comes. At the moment we are going with three real bowlers, one all-rounder,” added Iyer.
Young people are still on the edge of history
Despite missing out on his first cap, Sooryavanshi came close to rewriting the history of Indian cricket. Whenever he makes his international debut, the left-hander will become India’s youngest international cricketer, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar, who was 16 years and 205 days old when he bowled against Pakistan in 1989.The Bihar youngster has been called up by the senior maiden after an impressive IPL 2026 campaign and. Rajasthan Royalswhere he finished as the top scorer in the match with 776 runs in 16 innings at an impressive rate of 237.30. He also smashed a record 72 sixes, the most by any batsman in a single IPL season.The youngster carried that form into the India A tri-series in Sri Lanka, blasting 94 from just 29 balls in the final against Sri Lanka A, an innings that included the fastest fifty in List A cricket history as he reached the milestone in just 11 matches.
Dreams were delayed, not denied
Speaking after welcoming his maiden India debut, Sooryavanshi described wearing the Indian jersey as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.“Words cannot explain. The reason I picked up my fists from the first day and went down to do it: that dream is coming true now. The biggest part of that journey was completed today,” he said in a BCCI video.“I felt like I was dreaming when I saw that T-shirt. I couldn’t stop smiling. Sometimes things happen that you never thought would happen.”While Indian fans will have to wait a little longer to see what the youngster does internationally, Iyer’s comments indicated that the layoff is temporary.
