Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on the bench: Why India's bold T20I vision feels incomplete
India's T20I cricket team selection process is under scrutiny following the benching of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the series opener against Afghanistan. Captain Shreyas Iyer's vague explanations regarding team combinations have sparked debate over the squad's strategic direction.
Why it matters
High-profile team selection decisions in Indian cricket often reflect broader management philosophies and influence the team's performance in international tournaments.
NEW DELHI: India T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer called having to pick between Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryanshi and Abhishek Sharma as a "luxury to have for any side." More often than not, the challenge is to pick between Samson and Sooryavanshi. One brings experience, and the other brings a no-holds-barred approach.That was the case as the T20I series between India and Afghanistan got underway on Sunday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. No clear signs of one or the other emerged as the teams went through the motions. Abhishek did some shadow batting. Sooryavanshi lined up to take some aerial catches. India coach Gautam Gambhir pinged Samson's wicketkeeping gloves.As the team went into a huddle and emerged, both Samson and Sooryavanshi found their way onto the dugout. Both kept their poker faces well.
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