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Gautam Gambhir vs VVS Laxman: Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi keeps getting benched

Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi spent all five matches of India's recent T20I series against the West Indies on the bench, highlighting a stark difference in selection philosophy between head coach Gautam Gambhir and former coach VVS Laxman. While Laxman frequently awarded the fifteen-year-old regular playing time and praised his contributions during series like the Zimbabwe tour and Asian Games, Gambhir has prioritized stability at the top of the order, keeping Sooryavanshi out of the starting lineup despite public interest.

Captain Shreyas Iyer has defended the team's steady approach, encouraging the young opener to remain patient while waiting for his next chance. The squad now heads to New Zealand for an upcoming tour that features five T20Is, starting at Hagley Oval, which could provide Sooryavanshi with another opportunity to break into the playing XI.

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