Aakash Chopra Says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Should Be Released From India Squad If He Is Not Playing

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be released from India’s T20I squad if the team management cannot provide him with playing opportunities. Chopra acknowledged that the decision would be difficult but argued that keeping the 15-year-old on the bench for an entire series would offer limited benefit.

The discussion follows Sooryavanshi’s omission from all five T20Is against the West Indies, a series that ended in a 2–2 draw after the final match in Bengaluru was abandoned due to rain. India continued to rely on established openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.

With India preparing for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, the debate over how best to develop the young left-hander has returned to the spotlight.

Why Aakash Chopra Wants India to Consider Releasing Sooryavanshi

Chopra believes Sooryavanshi is facing a difficult selection situation because India already have several established options at the top of the batting order.

According to the former opener, the youngster can compete for a place alongside Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. When the team management continues to select those players, Sooryavanshi has limited opportunities to enter the playing XI.

Chopra acknowledged that it would be heartbreaking for a young player to remain in the squad without getting a chance. However, he suggested that rotating the available openers could provide a solution.

If India cannot offer Sooryavanshi meaningful playing time, Chopra believes the team should consider releasing him to participate in domestic cricket rather than keeping him on the sidelines.

Sooryavanshi’s T20I Record Shows His Potential

Despite his limited opportunities in the recent series, Sooryavanshi has made an encouraging start to his international T20 career.

The teenager has scored 246 runs in eight T20Is at a strike rate above 186, including two half-centuries. His aggressive approach and ability to score quickly have made him one of the young batters attracting attention in Indian cricket.

However, impressive numbers alone do not guarantee a place in the starting XI. Team combinations, the roles of established players and the balance of the batting order all influence selection decisions.

The challenge for India is to find a way to develop Sooryavanshi while maintaining a settled top order.

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma Continue to Get Opportunities

India continued with Samson and Abhishek as their opening combination throughout the five-match West Indies T20I series.

Samson scored 168 runs across the series, while Abhishek contributed 145. Their performances helped explain why the team management did not make changes simply to accommodate the teenage batter.

Chopra’s argument is not necessarily that Sooryavanshi should replace a particular player permanently. Instead, he has suggested that rotation could give all the available openers opportunities while allowing the team to assess different combinations.

Such an approach would require careful planning, particularly with major international assignments ahead.

Aakash Chopra Also Defends Tilak Varma

Chopra also addressed criticism directed at Tilak Varma, disagreeing with suggestions that the middle-order batter should be dropped to create room for Sooryavanshi.

He pointed to Tilak’s record at No. 3, where the left-hander has scored two international T20 centuries. Chopra also noted that a player’s role can change depending on the team’s requirements.

Tilak has been used in the middle and lower-middle order, where his responsibilities differ from those of a specialist opener. Chopra argued that his contributions in those positions should be considered before judging his performances.

The comments highlight the difficulty of comparing players who occupy different batting roles. While Sooryavanshi is primarily an opening option, Tilak provides flexibility further down the order.

Could the Ranji Trophy Be the Right Option for Sooryavanshi?

If Sooryavanshi is unlikely to feature in India’s upcoming matches, a return to domestic cricket could provide valuable time in the middle.

The Ranji Trophy offers an opportunity to gain experience in longer-format cricket, work on technique and develop the ability to build an innings over extended periods. Regular competitive cricket can also help a young player maintain rhythm and confidence.

For a 15-year-old batter still developing his game, opportunities to play may be more useful than remaining in a squad without a clear role.

However, any release from the national squad would depend on the team management and the player’s schedule. Chopra’s suggestion represents his view on how India could manage the youngster’s development, rather than a confirmed selection decision.

What Happens Next for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?

India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand is scheduled to begin on November 22, 2026. Sooryavanshi’s role in the squad will remain a point of interest after he missed all five matches against the West Indies.

India must balance the development of young talent with the demands of international competition. Providing opportunities through rotation, selecting a clear playing XI or allowing a player to return to domestic cricket are possible approaches, each with different implications.

For Sooryavanshi, the priority will be to continue improving his game and make the most of his opportunities when they arrive.

Conclusion

Aakash Chopra has urged India to consider releasing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for domestic cricket if the teenager cannot get playing time in the T20I team. The former opener believes that leaving the youngster on the bench for an entire series offers limited benefit when he could gain experience by playing.

At the same time, Chopra defended Tilak Varma and highlighted the importance of considering players’ roles before calling for selection changes.

With India preparing for the New Zealand series, the challenge will be finding the right balance between giving emerging talent opportunities and maintaining a settled team.