India’s young talent, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, was excluded from the playing XI in the fifth T20I against England held in Southampton on Saturday, July 11. The Men in Blue suffered a significant defeat, losing by 56 runs.
Sanju Samson stepped in for Vaibhav Suryavanshi in this match, a decision that raised eyebrows since Samson is not included in the squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe T20Is. The 15-year-old Suryavanshi appeared deeply disappointed by the exclusion, especially since it was just three matches after his international debut.
While seated in the dugout, his disappointment was clear. Teammate Suryansh Shedge, positioned right behind him, noticed Suryavanshi’s dejection and offered a supportive pat on the back.
Watch the video of the moment below –
England took the lead by batting first and achieving a massive total of 257/3. In response, India concluded their innings at 201/8, falling short despite a valiant effort. Samson, replacing Suryavanshi, scored 27 off 14 balls, hitting three boundaries and two sixes with a strike rate of 192.86. However, he could not capitalize on the start to make a significant score.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi will look to come good in Zimbabwe
Though Vaibhav Suryavanshi displayed promise, he didn’t manage to score big in the three matches he participated in during this series. He finished with 42 runs, averaging 14 with a strike rate of 168.
The left-handed batsman showed flashes of his potential, maintaining the aggressive style he showcased in the IPL and other India A matches. He debuted in the second T20I, scoring 14 off ten balls. In the subsequent game, he was out for 13 in five balls, and in the fourth T20I, he made 15 runs off ten balls.
After being left out of the fifth T20I and facing challenges throughout the series, the 15-year-old aims to perform well in the Zimbabwe tour. India will play a three-match T20I series in Harare on July 23, 25, and 26. With Samson not part of the Zimbabwe squad, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is anticipated to open the batting in all three matches.
Edited by Rishab Vm
