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One month. 10 T20 matches. And one question is on every cricket fan’s mind: just how many of those games will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play for India? Will he be inducted straight into the playing XI?
The teenage sensation is set for a packed schedule—two T20Is against Ireland, five against England and three against Zimbabwe. Everyone seems eager to see him in the playing XI. From the team management to the broadcasters, there is immense pressure to unleash the young prodigy, with each stakeholder keen to cash in on the growing Sooryavanshi phenomenon.
But who is really under pressure?
Many would point to Sanju Samson, but the bigger spotlight may actually be on Abhishek Sharma. Sooryavanshi is emerging as a younger, more explosive—and perhaps even more complete—version of the left-handed opener. If the youngster keeps knocking on the door, Abhishek’s place could come under scrutiny.
The challenge for Abhishek is not just to score runs, but to perform with the constant knowledge that an exceptional young talent is waiting in the wings. How he responds to that pressure could define the next phase of his international career.
On top of that, the current Indian T20 side is so strong that even world-class players cannot walk into the XI. That is the hallmark of a champion team.
The excitement around Sooryavanshi is unprecedented. Fans want to see him take on bowlers from the very first ball, and right now, few cricketers can match his popularity. Smashing a half-century off just 11 deliveries is no ordinary feat.
Just imagine what must be going through Abhishek’s mind. If Sooryavanshi has to be accommodated, who makes way? Even head coach Gautam Gambhir cannot afford to back Abhishek on sentiment or regional loyalties if the left-hander is not scoring consistently.
To be fair, Abhishek has not been as inconsistent in bilateral T20Is as he was during the T20 World Cup. But the competition is now so intense that performances alone will determine who stays and who goes. In this Indian T20 setup, reputations offer little protection.
