ENG vs IND 2026: 'Will definitely get an opportunity' - Parthiv Patel on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's non-selection

Former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has opined that the team management must be more responsible in their communication with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, as demand from the fans for his India debut have become stronger.

The 15-year-old has taken the cricketing world by storm. Sooryavanshi shattered records in the 2026 Indian Premier League, scoring 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.70, while also making waves at the under-19 level. His stellar run for the Rajasthan Royals saw him become the youngest player called up for India for the T20I series against Ireland and England. 

Clamours for his debut have become increasingly fervent, but he has yet to feature in the two T20Is against Ireland and one against England. Patel has urged the team management to be more transparent in its communication with the youngster as to when he would be making his debut. 

“I feel that at some point in this series, Vaibhav Suryavanshi will definitely get an opportunity. But at this point in time, communication is something which is very important. You know, when you are part of a coaching staff, you have to make sure that you are giving away the right signals to a batter," Patel said on JioStar, reported by the Hindustan Times.

'A lot of other players as well who have done really well' - Patel on Sooryavanshi non-selection

Patel stated further that the young southpaw will need to bide his time before he makes his debut, due to other players who have done well. India's top three of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan played a key role in their 2026 T20 World Cup Triumph.

"Even if you are not going to make him play, you have to tell him that fact. He's a 15-year-old kid. You have to speak to him carefully. You have to teach him a little patience. Because when you are playing for India, when you are picked for India, there are a lot of other players as well who have done really well," he said.

“Talking about Sanju Samson. You know, he was the Player of the Series in the World Cup. You have Ishan Kishan, who is batting at No. 3 and is the No. 1 ICC-ranked player. No. 2 is Abhishek Sharma. At this point in time, there is no place, and you have to communicate that really well to Vaibhav Suryavanshi," he added.

The second T20I against England will be played on Saturday, July 4 at Old Trafford in Manchester. The series stands at 0-0 after the first T20I was washed out at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street earlier this week.