Young batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his international debut for India in the second T20I of the five-match series against England, but the selection sparked a huge debate among fans. Many people questioned the decision to drop Sanju Samson, with the move garnering mixed reactions on social media.
India handed the 15-year-old his first T20I cap under Shreyas Iyer During the match at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester on Saturday, July 4, at the time of the toss, captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed that Suryavanshi would open the batting with Abhishek Sharma, while Samson was left out of the playing eleven.
Sanju Samson could have easily batted at number 3 – Sanjay Manjrekar
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar questioned India’s decision to drop Sanju Samson for Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s debut. He said that unless Samson gets injured there is no point in this move. Manjrekar said that the team could have given place to the young player by batting Samson at number 3.
“It’s great to see Vaibhav in India colours. But what about Samson! Dropped?? Are you kidding me! No, I think, he’s injured. Let’s hope it’s an injury. Or this is the strangest selection. If you wanted to bring in Vaibhav, you could have easily batted at number three.”
It is great to see the splendor of India in colours. But what about Samson? Dropped?? Are you kidding me!
No, I think, I’m injured. Let’s hope it’s an injury. Or is this the strangest choice.
If you wanted to bring Vaibhav in, you could have easily batted at number three.
– Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 5, 2026
Suryavanshi became India’s youngest international debutant at the age of 15 years and 99 days. He scored 14 runs off 10 balls, but England, chasing the target of 191 runs, won the second T20 match by four wickets with an over to spare.
Questions raised on Team India’s selection amid ignoring of Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson was dropped after poor performances with the bat during the Ireland and England series. The wicketkeeper-batsman could score only six runs in his last three T20 innings, including one in the opening match against England in Durham.
However, India’s decision surprised many as the team management had previously backed the existing top order. During the Ireland series, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said that it would be unfair to drop a player to give Suryavanshi a chance to debut.
Ahead of the England series, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had also said that the youngster would have to wait for his opportunity. Bowling coach Morne Morkel had similarly backed India’s top-order batsmen ahead of the second T20I, making the change in selection a surprise.
Pressure on Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Team India’s top order
Vaibhav Suryavanshi entered international cricket after a brilliant IPL 2026 season. He scored 776 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 237.30 and won the Orange Cap. The left-handed batsman has scored 1,491 T20 runs in his career at a strike rate of 219.26.
Kishore has also been named in India’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games. His debut is expected to mark the beginning of a long international career, but it has also increased competition for places in the batting order.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson was the Player of the Tournament in the 2026 T20 World Cup and enjoyed a good IPL season before a recent dip in form. With India’s top-order competition getting stronger, both players will be keen to make the most of their next opportunity.
Team India will be back in action during the third T20 match in Nottingham on Tuesday, July 7. To keep the series intact, the visiting team must win the upcoming match.
