Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has opened up about the reason behind the teen batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not getting a chance in the three-match series against Afghanistan in Delhi.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gambhir clarified that the 15-year-old opener needs to wait patiently for his opportunity in the Indian XI despite his good form, adding that senior players have done exceedingly well and they cannot be overlooked.
” From Vaibhav’s point of view, it is again a very clear conversation that he has to wait for his opportunity. We know the kind of talent he has. We know what he can do. But again, someone who has done extremely well over a period of years obviously will always be ahead of someone who has got into the team. Whenever he gets that chance, you will get a longer run as well,” Gambhir said.
“And that is what Indian cricket is all about. We want competition, we want that talent in the dressing room. But sometimes that’s how cricket goes. Whether it is a 15-year-old or a 30-year-old, you have to wait for opportunity,” he added.
Further, Gambhir admitted that dropping Samson from the XI on the England tour was the toughest decision he has taken as a head coach. Notably, Samson played two games on the England T20I tour while Sooryavanshi played three games. Subsequently, Samson was rested for the Zimbabwe tour, and the teen batter played all three games on that tour.
“I think Samson showed what he is capable of. Someone doesn’t become Player of The Tournament in the World Cup without having talent, so he has done enough. Obviously, it was tough – probably the toughest decision I have taken in my coaching career, was leaving him out of that England series because of the way he had performed before that,” he concluded.
