Photo via Hindustan Times

Not your turn just yet: What Gautam Gambhir told Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after he was left out of India’s Playing XI

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has clarified why prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was omitted from the squad for the recent T20I series against Afghanistan. Despite the youngster's talent, Gambhir emphasized the need for team stability, noting that the established opening duo of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma has been highly productive since the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The coach explained that he prioritized the security of the dressing room over immediate changes, informing Sooryavanshi that he must wait for his turn behind proven performers. Gambhir further stressed that selection decisions are made internally based on long-term success rather than external pressure or social media discourse.

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'Sometimes you will have to wait' - Gautam Gambhir explains Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's exclusion