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Former Indian batter S Badrinath has questioned Sanju Samson’s place in the T20I XI and his dismal performances since the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, as the teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is still waiting for his debut. Amid the England series, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reposts Abhishek Sharma's rumoured girlfriend's reel on Instagram.
Vaibhav has been kept in the waiting despite Samson’s continuous struggles with the bat, and this left many frustrated as the 15-year-old wonderkid has been in exceptional form with the bat since the IPL 2026. Now, the calls for the left-hander’s India debut keep getting stronger.
S Badrinath wants India to cash in on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's red-hot form
With the five-match T20I series against England underway, S Badrinath feels this could be the perfect time for the Indian team management to unleash Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He feels the team should not keep the fearless youngster waiting on the bench, especially when the team is searching for more attacking batting.
Sooryavanshi forced his way into the national squad after a dream IPL 2026 campaign. The young left-hander dominated bowlers throughout the tournament and finished as the player of the tournament. In just 16 matches, he smashed 776 runs at an outstanding average of 48.50 and a remarkable strike rate of over 237.
The Rajasthan Royals opener was also impressive on the Sri Lanka tour with India A. Despite such unbelievable form, the teenager missed both T20Is against Ireland and was again left out of the playing XI for the opening T20I against England. After that, GT coach offers Gautam Gambhir advice on handling Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
He hasn't done anything great since the World Cup: S Badrinath slams Sanju Samson's poor form
Badrinath believes the Indian team should make the most of Vaibhav’s current confidence and red-hot form instead of making him wait because Sanju Samson has also been struggling badly in T20Is after contributing big in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph.
Samson had finished as the Player of the Tournament for scoring 321 runs in five innings at a stunning strike rate of close to 200. However, since then, he has managed only six runs in the last three T20Is.
S Badrinath said in a video on his YouTube channel: “Timing is very important for a player in form. He should be given a chance when he is in the form of his life. There is no use playing him when he's not in form. Confidence is everything in sports, and he is high on confidence right now. So, he must play. Also, let's not forget, Sanju Samson has been continuously failing since the T20 World Cup. He hasn't done anything great since the World Cup.”
India's batting failures in Ireland strengthen Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's case!
However, Badrinath did not directly call for Samson to be dropped from India’s playing XI, but he believes the team management must seriously think about giving Vaibhav Sooryavanshi an opportunity because of his exceptional form with the bat.
The cricket pundit said, “Though I don't advocate dropping Samson, it's something to think about when an in-form Sooryavanshi is sitting out.”
Badrinath further stressed that the lack of aggressive batting in Ireland is another strong reason to hand Sooryavanshi his long-awaited debut. His fearless style and explosive stroke play could provide exactly the spark the Men in Blue need at this stage during the transition phase.
The former CSK batter added, “There was a lack of intent with the bat in the two losses against Ireland. That makes it all the more a reason for Team India to play Vaibhav Suryavanshi.”
However, the touring side delivered an improved show and posted a competitive total of 189 runs in 20 overs, but rain washed out the first T20I in Durham.
Now, all eyes are on the second T20I in Manchester on July 4. It will be interesting to see whether the team management finally hands the teenage sensation his much-awaited India debut or continues to back the struggling Samson.
