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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is still waiting for his India debut, yet the 15-year-old batting sensation was one of the biggest attractions during the two-match T20I series opener between India and Ireland at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday (June 26).
After his stellar IPL 2026 season, many fans came to the Civil Service Cricket Club stadium hoping to see the young left-hander make his first appearance for the senior Indian team. However, the team management refused to hand Vaibhav the debut cap for the first T20I against Ireland.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi carries drinks in Belfast
Despite missing out on his debut, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi still enjoyed a memorable first day with the senior Indian cricket team. The left-handed batter was seen carrying drinks onto the field for his teammates, along with spinner Ravi Bishnoi, during the match on Friday.
Every time the teenager stepped onto the ground near the boundary, the crowd greeted him with loud cheers and applause. The fans made sure he felt their love and support, even though he was not playing with Vaibhav, enjoying every moment in Belfast.
Crowd was going crazy for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as he came out to serve drinks during the India vs Ireland match. 💀🔥
- The player who deserves a place in the playing XI is serving drinks, while the players who deserve to serve drinks are permanent members of the XI. 😭 pic.twitter.com/Auw98gVlZO— Jara (@JARA_Memer) June 26, 2026
Ravichandran Ashwin defends India selectors amid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi selection debate
Meanwhile, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s absence in India’s playing XI has sparked massive uproar on social media, but the former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has urged for patience, saying people have to be sensible after Ireland thrashed the Men in Blue by 34 runs in the first T20I.
The former off-spinner believes that India should not drop players who are already performing well just to give Vaibhav an early debut. He stressed that Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have done a good job as openers and deserve to keep their places in the team.
Ravichandran Ashwin told senior journalist Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel: “Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma batted together as an opening pair, and they are doing really well. Sanju also batted well in the T20 World Cup. If one of these two sits outside and plays Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, then what is the point of us calling this a team game? Two players performed well. You should not blame them for your situation. You should put yourself in their shoes and think.”
Ravichandran Ashwin reveals why sitting out could make Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stronger
Ashwin admitted that he is a big fan of Vaibhav, but he feels the youngster should wait for his time and stressed that serving the team can help a young cricketer grow, understand the team better, and prepare for a long international career.
He further explained, “I know Vaibhav has to play. I am also his big fan, and he is an entertainer, but not at any cost. There is value in sitting outside and watching the match. Let him sit outside; let him serve the team; let him serve water. He will get a lot to learn by serving drinks. A great player is not made overnight.
It is possible that once Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets playing, he will never be dropped. That could also happen. What happened with Sachin Tendulkar can happen. But my point is, if he sits outside, he will get empathy. It can be a long-serving career for India. Sitting outside is also a role.”
🔴SIT OUTSIDE, CARRY DRINKS, EARN RESPECT, THEN PLAY – ASHWIN BRUTAL MESSAGE TO VAIBHAV 🤯
— Sam (@cricsam02) June 27, 2026
🎙️: Sanju Samson & Abhishek Sharma have earned their places through performances, so dropping either just to accommodate Vaibhav Suryavanshi would be unfair.
- He stressed that sitting… pic.twitter.com/wGL52sydfK
