Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has backed opener Sanju Samson despite his poor form during the T20 series against Ireland. Doschet said that the team management is willing to be patient with its experienced players rather than including Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the senior team.
India, led by Shreyas Iyer, suffered a 2-0 T20I series defeat after losing the second and final match by one run in Belfast on Sunday, June 28. Chasing 155 runs, the Men in Blue managed to score 153 runs for 9 wickets. Both the openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were out for golden ducks in the very first over.
He is absolutely ready to play international cricket – Ryan ten Doeschate on Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Speaking in the press conference after the match, Ryan ten Doeschate said that Vaibhav Suryavanshi is ready for international cricket. However, he said that the team management wants to continue supporting experienced players like Sanju Samson.
Ten Doeschate said, “He is absolutely ready to play international cricket; there is no doubt about that. But I think there is no question of saying that you can leave out Sanju Samson, a guy who went a long way in helping India win the World Cup three months ago.”
No room for glory yet! Team India supported Sanju Samson
Question: Coach, how far is Vaibhav Suryavanshi from debut?
Ryan ten Doeschate: Vaibhav is absolutely ready for international cricket, but we won’t rush him. Sanju played a big role in India’s T20 World Cup victory and… pic.twitter.com/4FrYEXD9O2
– Sam (@cricsam02) June 29, 2026
Ireland recorded their first T20I series win over the Men in Blue. The series defeat also ended India’s 16-series winning streak in bilateral T20Is. Fans took to social media to criticize Team India for their disappointing T20 series loss to Ireland and described the performance as “disgraceful”.
We want to give people a long-term opportunity in the team” – Ryan ten Doeschate on Sanju Samson
Ryan ten Doeschate said that the team management does not want to drop players just after a few poor performances. He said that Vaibhav Suryavanshi should be patient and wait for the right opportunity to make his debut in international cricket.
“It’s important in terms of giving the players confidence and the message we are sending to the players. We want to give people a long-term opportunity in the team,” he said.
“So, you know, as ready as Vaibhav is and as excited as we are and as excited as you are to see him play, he has to go through the same process as everyone else and, you know, take your time and wait,” he said.
Despite impressive performance, Vaibhav Suryavanshi awaits his debut in India
Vaibhav Suryavanshi quickly earned an India call-up after a sensational IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. The 15-year-old was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 776 runs in 16 innings at an impressive strike rate of 237.30.
He continued his form in the Tri-Nation A series in Dambulla, where he scored the fastest half-century in List A history with a half-century in 11 balls against Sri Lanka A. The left-handed batsman played a brilliant inning of 94 runs in just 29 balls in the final.
India will now travel to England for a five-match T20I series starting July 1 at Chester-le-Street. Suryavanshi’s debut will depend more on the performance of the current opening pair than their credibility.