'Only When Someone is Injured?' Aakash Chopra Slams Sooryavanshi Omission
Aakash Chopra questions India's management over dropping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for Ishan Kishan, calling for a clear roadmap for the youngster.
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has raised serious concerns over the team management's decision regarding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi omission from the fourth T20I against New Zealand. The veteran commentator questioned whether the young talent is being viewed merely as a stop-gap arrangement rather than a long-term prospect for the national side.
The Controversy: Replacement or Prospect?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was brought into the side for the second and third T20Is after Ishan Kishan was ruled out due to injury. During his brief stint, the youngster showed promise, recording scores of 4 and 45. However, as soon as Ishan Kishan became available for the fourth match, Sooryavanshi was dropped from the playing XI.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra pointed out the irony of the situation. While the previous match saw strong batting performances—including a century by Abhishek and a near-half-century by Vaibhav—the management opted for the "philosophical" route of replacing the replacement.
"The decision to drop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leads to a bigger question. Will you play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi only when someone is injured? Or when someone is unavailable?" Chopra questioned.
A Call for Domestic Cricket
Chopra argued that if the management does not see Sooryavanshi as a regular fixture in the playing XI, keeping him in the squad might be counterproductive. He suggested that the youngster would benefit more from returning to domestic cricket, specifically first-class matches, to ensure he gets consistent "bat on ball" time.
While acknowledging that staying in the Indian dressing room offers learning opportunities, Chopra emphasized that match experience is irreplaceable. He suggested that if the current trend of being a reserve for injured players continues, sending him home to play competitive cricket would be the better move for his development.
Demand for a Clear Roadmap
The former cricketer also expressed disappointment over the lack of communication from the team leadership regarding the youngster's future. He urged the management to be transparent about their long-term vision for the player.
Key points raised by Chopra include:
- The need for the team to share their roadmap and philosophy regarding young players.
- The disappointment surrounding Sooryavanshi's absence in a match that was essentially a "dead rubber."
- The necessity of a charted plan that is communicated to the public and the player.
The Result of the Switch
Despite the management's decision to bring back the experienced Ishan Kishan, the return did not yield the desired results. In a high-pressure chase of 260 runs, Kishan fell for a duck. India struggled to keep up with the massive target and were eventually restricted to 172/9, leaving many to wonder if the youngster's momentum should have been preserved.