Murali Kartik backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to bide his time for chance in India T20I side

Former India spinner Murali Kartik has backed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to earn a consistent place in India's T20I side, saying the teenager will get his opportunity despite fierce competition at the top of the batting order. Sooryavanshi currently finds himself behind two established openers and a number three who can also double up at the top, yet Kartik remains confident the youngster's time will come.

Sooryavanshi was named in India's 16-member squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand starting October 22, 2026, confirming that selectors continue to view him as part of the team's plans even when regular opportunities at the top of the order remain limited.

"The basic thing what I am trying to say here is that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a precautious talent. He is just waiting in the wings because of two openers out there and a number 3 who has done exceptionally well, who can also double up as an opener if need be. You've got the top two batters in T20 internationals right now going around, and you've got a right-left combination. So Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will get his chance, because he is an exciting talent. He's got a wonderful future to go ahead, so it's just a question of biding your time sometimes," Kartik said, responding to CricTracker's query during an interaction arranged by Sony Sports Network.

India captain Shreyas Iyer has echoed a similar message, urging Sooryavanshi to remain patient and citing the consistent performances of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as the established opening pair.

How has Sooryavanshi performed in T20Is so far?

Sooryavanshi made his T20I debut on July 4, 2026 against England, becoming the youngest Indian to debut in international cricket at 15 years and 71 days. As of October 3, 2026, he has played eight T20I matches and accumulated 246 runs at an average of 30.75, a return that underlines his ability to contribute at the highest level despite limited and often irregular opportunities.

His second T20I series, against Zimbabwe between July 23 and July 26, 2026, was particularly impressive. Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs across that series and was named Player of the Series, underlining his ability to perform at international level despite his age. That award demonstrated that when given a run of games, the teenager is capable of dominating opposition attacks and making a decisive impact on results.

What form did Sooryavanshi carry into international cricket?

Before his T20I debut, Sooryavanshi had already made a significant mark in domestic cricket. He scored 776 runs for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 and was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, a performance that accelerated his entry into the national setup and announced him as one of the most exciting batting prospects in Indian cricket.

That IPL campaign demonstrated his ability to handle pressure at the highest level of franchise cricket, facing quality international bowling across the competition. His selection for the England T20I series followed directly from that form, and his continued inclusion in India squads since then reflects the selectors' long-term confidence in his potential.

With his IPL record, a Player of the Series award against Zimbabwe and a place in the New Zealand T20I squad, Sooryavanshi has built a compelling case for a regular berth. Kartik's assessment reflects a broader view that the teenager's talent is not in question, only the timing of his opportunities.