Former India cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Madan Lal supported the team management’s decision to drop 15-year-old opening batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi for the fifth T20I against England. Madan Lal said that the youth should learn from failures and understand the demands of international cricket.
England defeated India by 56 runs in the fifth and final T20I at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, July 11. The home team also completed the series win by a margin of 4–0. Sanju Samson replaced Suryavanshi in the playing eleven and played a quickfire 27 off 14 balls, but India finished at 201/8 while chasing 258.
“Let him learn the hard way” – Madan Lal supports the decision to remove Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Madan Lal supported the team management’s decision to drop Vaibhav Suryavanshi for the fifth T20 match. In a post on
“I think the team management did the right thing by leaving him out. If you don’t value your chances. If you want to see him play for the country then let him learn the hard way.”
I think the team management did the right thing by leaving him out. If you don’t value your chances. If you want to see him play for the country then let him learn hard
– Madan Lal (@MadanLal1983) July 11, 2026
Vaibhav Suryavanshi got an India call-up after a sensational IPL 2026 season, where he scored 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30. However, he struggled against England’s short-ball tactics. He also performed brilliantly in the List A Tri-Series final, scoring 94 runs in 29 balls and changing the course of the match.
There was a sharp reaction to the decision to remove Suryavanshi and bring back Samson. From fans on social media platform X.
Graeme Swann questions India’s decision to bench Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Former England spinner Graeme Swann said India should have shown more patience with a player of Suryavanshi’s caliber. He pointed out that the teenager had scored more runs than Sanju Samson in the last three innings and deserved another chance.
Suryavanshi finished her first T20I series with 42 runs in three innings at an average of 14.00 and a strike rate of 168. He scored 14 from 10 balls on debut, followed by 13 from five and 15 from nine in his next two innings.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi retains Zimbabwe place despite England setback
Swann also warned that abandoning a 15-year-old so early could have an impact on his confidence and development. He felt that Suryavanshi had become a victim of India’s overall batting struggles rather than his performances.
Despite missing the fifth T20 match, Suryavanshi has retained his place in India’s squad for the three-match T20 series against Zimbabwe starting on July 23. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson has not been included in the touring team. In the upcoming Zimbabwe tour, Vaibhav will once again be seen opening the innings with Abhishek Sharma and it is expected that he will get a chance to play for a long time.
