AB de Villiers Questions Team India Over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Snub: “When Will You Unleash Him?”

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has openly questioned Team India‘s decision to keep teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on the bench despite his extraordinary performances in recent months.

The 15-year-old prodigy was included in India’s squads for the Ireland and England tours following a sensational IPL 2026 season. However, Sooryavanshi is still waiting for his international debut after being overlooked in the Ireland series and the opening T20I against England.

AB de Villiers Wants Sooryavanshi in the Playing XI

Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers expressed disappointment that the young batter has not yet been given an opportunity to showcase his talent at the highest level.

According to the former Proteas captain, the Ireland series would have been the ideal stage for Sooryavanshi to gain experience in international cricket.

“When will he be unleashed? I thought the Ireland series was the perfect opportunity for him to come in and get a feel for international cricket. It was unfortunate that he never got an opportunity,” de Villiers said.

The South African great believes exceptional talents should sometimes be fast-tracked when they have already proven themselves against top-quality competition.

Why India Have Not Played Sooryavanshi Yet

India’s team management has defended its decision to persist with the existing opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.

Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate previously explained that the management wanted to remain fair to Samson, who played a key role in India’s recent T20 World Cup triumph.

However, de Villiers disagreed with that approach and suggested Sooryavanshi had already earned his chance through performances.

“I beg to differ with Ryan ten Doeschate. After the IPL he had, it was time to throw him into the deep end, especially against a lower-ranked team like Ireland,” de Villiers added.

A Record-Breaking Rise for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Sooryavanshi’s rise has been one of the biggest stories in Indian cricket this year.

The left-handed batter amassed an incredible 776 runs during IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young players in world cricket.

He further strengthened his credentials by registering the fastest List-A fifty, highlighting his ability to dominate attacks across formats.

With Sanju Samson struggling for consistency and failing to make significant contributions in recent matches, calls for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion have only grown louder.

De Villiers Highlights India’s Bigger Challenges

Beyond the Sooryavanshi debate, de Villiers believes India have several areas to improve following their disappointing series defeat against Ireland.

The former South African captain pointed out that English and Irish conditions demand a different approach compared to the high-scoring nature of the IPL.

“There is some work to do for Team India. They need to regroup, reset, and find a method to play in UK conditions. It’s more strategic and tactical, where sometimes 140 or 160 is enough,” he said.

India’s challenges have increased after a difficult start under new captain Shreyas Iyer, whose side suffered a 2-0 series defeat against Ireland.

Opportunity Still Awaits

The opening T20I between India and England was washed out due to rain, leaving fans still waiting to see whether Sooryavanshi will finally receive his long-awaited debut.

With the five-match series still underway and public pressure mounting, India’s management faces an important decision regarding one of the country’s brightest young cricket talents.

If selected, Sooryavanshi would have the opportunity to justify the immense hype surrounding his name and begin what many believe could be a long international career.

Key Highlights

• AB de Villiers has urged Team India to give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his international debut.
• The 15-year-old remains uncapped despite being selected for Ireland and England tours.
• Sooryavanshi scored 776 runs in IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals.
• Ryan ten Doeschate defended the decision to continue backing Sanju Samson.
• India’s next opportunity to play Sooryavanshi could come during the ongoing England T20I series.