Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should have played in two T20Is against Ireland. India continued to back their incumbent pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma in two games against Ireland and Sooryavanshi was kept on the bench.

Shastri reckons Sooryavanshi should get his chance as soon as possible in India’s playing XI. The former Indian all-rounder highlighted that the youngster had taken the best bowlers in IPL 2026 to the cleaners and thus he should be put in the mix.

Sooryavanshi was in red-hot form in IPL 2026 as he amassed 776 runs in 16 matches at a blistering strike rate of 237.30 for Rajasthan Royals.

Ravi Shastri said on Sony Sports Network, “Arre voh khelna chahiye thha yaar ( He should have played) in Ireland. It was a slow track with spongy bounce there. He would have given it a hammering there. So he should have played there. But here in England, I am not sure whether they will play him or not. However, he should play as soon as possible. He smashed everyone in the IPL. Which fast bowler did he spare? And here you are making him warm the bench.”

Shastri said the youngster has an X-factor and he must be backed by the team on the England tour.

“He is an X-factor and carries no baggage, being a 15-year-old. He has no fear because of the exuberange of youth. Even if he bats 2 to 3 overs at the top, he will provide you such a great start that the middle-order can capitalize on. So you have find a place in the 11 for him and the earlier, the better,” said Shastri (via the aforementioned source).

The second T20I between India and England will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester on Saturday.