'You told Sooryavanshi to serve water': Ex-India star questions his debut timing

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has questioned the timing of Sooryavanshi's international debut, suggesting the young opener would have performed better if given his chance earlier. Son Sooryavanshi, who made his India debut during the recent tours of Ireland and England, struggled in his first three T20Is against England. The 15-year-old, who had an impressive IPL 2026 season and won the Orange Cap, scored just 14, 13, and 15 runs in the three matches before being dropped for the final game in favor of Sanju Samson.

Kaif, who played 13 Tests and 125 ODIs for India, believes Sooryavanshi's confidence would have been boosted had he been given his chance in Ireland first. He stated that the youngster's form and performance in the IPL warranted him a special treatment and a direct debut in Ireland, which would have eliminated his nervousness in England.

Kaif praised Sooryavanshi as a special talent and lamented that his international journey was made more difficult than it should have been. The teenager's struggles in England, coupled with Samson's return to the playing XI, further compounded Sooryavanshi's international debut woes. However, Sooryavanshi redeemed himself during the subsequent T20I series against Zimbabwe, scoring a half-century in the opening match, 20 runs in the second game, and a match-winning 81 in the third T20I. He was subsequently named the Player of the Series.