Shreyas Iyer Breaks Silence on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Snub Following Poor UK Tour

Shreyas Iyer Defends Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Snub After India’s Forgettable England Tour

India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has defended the decision to leave out teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the fifth and final T20I against England, saying the team management opted to test a different opening combination after the series had already slipped away.

India endured a miserable campaign in England, suffering a 4-0 series defeat as the hosts dominated throughout. The whitewash ended India’s reign at the top of the ICC T20I rankings and sparked widespread criticism of the team’s selections, tactics and inability to adapt to English conditions.

One of the biggest talking points from the final match was the exclusion of Sooryavanshi, who had played the previous three T20Is. Instead, India recalled Sanju Samson to partner Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order, a move that left many questioning why the youngster was dropped in a dead rubber.

‘We Wanted a Different Opening Combination’

Speaking after the series, Iyer said the decision was made to achieve better balance in the batting line-up.

“We wanted to try the combination that we felt was best suited to these conditions. We also wanted a right-hander to open alongside Abhishek, and that was one of the main reasons.”

The skipper explained that India’s top order was dominated by left-handers and believed Samson’s inclusion offered greater flexibility.

“As you saw, I was the only right-hander among the left-handers. We wanted to see how a different combination worked in this game. Sanju is an experienced player and has contributed to many series wins for India.”

Although Iyer backed the selection, the decision is expected to remain a subject of debate. After showing faith in Sooryavanshi across three consecutive matches, the management’s decision to bench him in the final game added to criticism over India’s changing combinations throughout the tour.

‘Every Challenge Makes You Better’

Reflecting on the disappointing series, Iyer insisted the experience would help him develop as a captain rather than discourage him.

“Captaining India is a privilege. Every player dreams of leading the national team, and I enjoy the responsibility that comes with it.”

The 30-year-old said he would not allow the setback to affect his leadership as India prepare for a busy overseas calendar.

“I’m not thinking too much about the criticism because ups and downs are part of the game. The important thing is to stay positive, help the younger players grow and continue improving as a team.”

Looking ahead, Iyer stressed that India’s focus would shift to building stronger combinations and adapting better in foreign conditions ahead of upcoming tours.

The series defeat has raised uncomfortable questions for the Indian team management, with repeated changes to the playing XI and batting order failing to produce results. While the omission of Sooryavanshi became one of the most discussed decisions, it also reflected the broader uncertainty that surrounded India’s campaign from start to finish.