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Sanju Samson is back in the playing eleven again as the Indian team management dropped Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the combination for the fifth match of the 5-match T20I series against England, tonight in Southampton.
It was expected to see Sooryavanshi in tonight's match as well, but the management has different thoughts. Vaibhav joined the playing eleven as the replacement for Sanju Samson, who was struggling with his form.
The boy wonder was shattered after being dropped, as he had a stellar IPL season with Rajasthan Royals (RR). He finished as the leading run-getter in the tournament, winning the Orange Cap after 776 runs beside his name and also won the Most Valuable Player Award (MVP).
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out, Sanju Samson in
The 15-year-old batter walked into the team with a lot of promise, but failed to fire to his true potential in the last three games. As he did not meet the standards, the team management dropped him, and Sanju made his way back into the combination again.
In his first three matches for the India National Cricket Team in the format, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 14, 13, and 15 runs in his first, second, and third matches, respectively.
The Southpaw showed some glimpses of his talent, which is smashing bowlers for boundaries, but could not convert the momentum for song standing innings. Out of three dismissals, the southpaw was dismissed off Jofra Archer's short-pitched deliveries twice, in two consecutive games.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was disappointing in the previous three games
In his debut match, the young batter was dismissed by the spinner Will Jacks. On the other side, Sanju Samson will try to utilise the chance with both of his arms as he is required to protect his spot in the playing eleven.
Team India captain Shreyas Iyer informed about the change at the toss. India made another change in their playing XI, with Suryansh Shedge coming in for Washington Sundar. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer won the toss again, and this time, he opted to bowl first.
In the previous match, India went to bat first at Trent Bridge and managed to score 158 runs with Iyer's unbeaten 80. England won the match with ease, by 9 wickets and 37 balls to spare.
India vs England playing XIs:
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna
England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Harry Brook(c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue
Fans reaction after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dropped
Lol....there are thousands of pages who are blaming Vaibhav Suryavanshi for team's failure and series loss.... especially people from those Yadav community....just because he is Rajput
— Soul of Steel (@SanjaySarj25171) July 11, 2026
Is dropping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after three games the right call? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/GUdkcUFYxZ
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 11, 2026
VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI DROPPED FROM
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 11, 2026
THE 5TH T20I.
- Sanju Samson returns! pic.twitter.com/oOnxByfL8W
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Dropped, Sanju Samson In pic.twitter.com/VwGHcY77kw
— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) July 11, 2026
Did you rush into giving Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his India debut OR have you rushed into dropping him after just 3 matches? Either way, Indian think-tank hasn’t covered themselves in glory with the handling of a 15 year old.
— Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) July 11, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi looks broken and shattered after getting dropped from P11 v England. pic.twitter.com/TW2NYdjg1q
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) July 11, 2026
Vaibhav suryavanshi should get some tips from Harry Brooks.
— Sunil Kr Shukla (@SunilShukla2008) July 11, 2026
