Coach Slams Indian Management Over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Bench Time
The treatment of 15-year-old rising star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has drawn sharp criticism from his childhood coach, Manish Ojha. Following the teenager’s exclusion from the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies, Ojha publicly accused the management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, of employing a “dictatorship” style of leadership that risks alienating young talent. Leaving Ojha questioning how India plan to develop one of their most promising young batters, the 15-year-old has been on the sidelines for all three matches so far. Rather than being restricted to a supporting role, the coach argued that youngsters need time in the middle to improve their game.
Sooryavanshi has remained on the bench for the duration of the three-match series, a decision that his coach argues is detrimental to his development. Ojha emphasized that players are not built while sitting on the sidelines and expressed concern that the lack of opportunity could lead to frustration and a sense of redundancy within the squad. While Gambhir has maintained that the youngster must wait for his chance, prioritizing the experience of players like 31-year-old Sanju Samson, the critique highlights ongoing tension regarding India’s succession planning. “When you sit out, then you get a feeling that I have no utility in the team; the kid gets frustrated,” he said.
Recent Performance and Statistics
- T20I Debut: July 2026
- Current Series Status: Unused substitute for three matches
- Career T20I Record: 246 runs in eight appearances
- Career Strike Rate: 186
- Recent Sanju Samson Form: 11, 82, and 3 runs in the series
Ojha remains adamant that the current management is prioritizing arbitrary decisions over long-term player growth. He described Sooryavanshi as a force akin to a “storm” that will eventually prove its worth, provided the player can navigate the current professional roadblocks. Despite the frustration, the coach expressed confidence in the youngster’s ability to maintain a successful international career in the long run. According to “Sitting on the bench, no player has ever been made, nor will they be,” Ojha, According to Times Now, criticising the management’s approach to preparing the next generation.
Related Team Developments
- Selection Status: Omitted from the Bihar Ranji Trophy squad
- Management Stance: Gambhir insists Sooryavanshi must wait for his opportunity
- Technical Guidance: Morne Morkel has provided individual training advice
- Pending Decisions: Management continues to weigh team composition for the upcoming trophy final
Important Details
- Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav has one word for Sanju Samson.
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