India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate reckons Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is absolutely ready for Internatonal cricket but defended the team’s decision to not play him in the two T20Is against Ireland. The former Dutch batter said it make sense to back the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, who have delivered in the last couple of years for the national team.

Samson was the star of the show in the T20 World Cup, scoring 321 runs in five matches whereas Sharma scored a crucial fifty in the summit clash against New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi earned his maiden T20I call-up after smashing 776 runs in 16 matches of IPL 2026 while playing for Rajasthan Royals. 

“He is absolutely ready to play international cricket; there is no doubt about that. But also, I think it isn’t a question to say you can leave Sanju Samson out. A guy who went a long way to winning India the World Cup three months ago,” Ten Doeschate said at the post-match press conference.

The Indian coach added it is crucial for them to give confidence to their players by backing them to the hilt.

“It is important in terms of giving players confidence and the message we are sending to players. We want to give guys a long run in the team. So, you know, as ready as Vaibhav is and as excited as we are and you are to see him play, he is going to have to go through the same process as everyone else and, you know, bide his time and wait,” Ten Doeschate said.

India will next take on England in a five-match T20I series.