Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has indicated that he remains hopeful of getting an opportunity in India’s playing XI, posting the two words “still believing” on social media as he continues to wait for his chance in the T20I series against the West Indies.

The 15-year-old opening batter has not featured in any of the four matches played in the series, with head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management continuing with the opening combination of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.

With the five-match series level at 2-2, attention has turned to whether Sooryavanshi will get an opportunity in the fifth and final T20I. His brief social media post has drawn attention amid the discussion over his limited playing time, although the post does not explicitly confirm his plans or expectations for the next match.

Gambhir explains India’s selection approach

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that Sooryavanshi will have to wait for his opportunity. The coach has defended the management’s decision to continue backing established players rather than making a change simply to accommodate the young batter.

According to Gambhir, dropping either Samson or Abhishek Sharma to bring Sooryavanshi into the playing XI would be difficult to justify, given the performances and experience of the existing opening combination.

Gambhir also referred to Samson’s record, pointing out that a player who has won the Player of the Tournament award at a World Cup possesses the ability and experience required at the international level.

The coach acknowledged that leaving Samson out of an earlier England series had been one of the toughest decisions of his coaching career, particularly because of the batter’s performances before that selection decision.

However, Gambhir stressed that team selection also depends on current form and the combination the management believes is best suited to the side.

Why Gambhir continues to back the established combination

Gambhir’s explanation reflects his preference for maintaining continuity with players who have contributed to India’s recent success.

He argued that a few failures do not suddenly make established players less capable. Referring to the team’s unbeaten run across World Cup campaigns and its World Cup triumph, he questioned the idea that the same players should be viewed differently after a relatively short period of inconsistent performances.

The coach’s comments suggest that the management is placing considerable importance on the existing combination and the experience of players who have delivered over an extended period.

For Sooryavanshi, this means that his inclusion will depend on the team management deciding when the right opportunity arises, rather than on immediate pressure to make changes to the opening pair.

Gambhir acknowledges Sooryavanshi’s talent

Despite the teenager’s absence from the playing XI, Gambhir has acknowledged his ability and potential.

The coach said the management understands what Sooryavanshi can bring to the team but maintained that players who have performed consistently over several years will generally remain ahead of a newcomer in the selection order.

Gambhir also indicated that Sooryavanshi would receive a longer run when he eventually gets his opportunity. The remarks underline the distinction between recognising a young player’s talent and immediately giving him a place in an established international line-up.

The approach also places the emphasis on patience, with Sooryavanshi expected to remain prepared while waiting for the management to make a change.

Different opportunities under VVS Laxman

The report also notes that Sooryavanshi has received more regular opportunities when VVS Laxman has been in charge of the team during periods when Gambhir has been occupied with other assignments.

That contrast has added another dimension to the discussion surrounding the teenager’s role in India’s T20I set-up. However, the difference in opportunities does not, by itself, establish a disagreement between the coaches over the batter’s selection.

The immediate question remains whether the management will make any changes for the series decider against the West Indies.

Sooryavanshi waits for his opportunity

Sooryavanshi’s “still believing” post offers a brief glimpse of his public response to a prolonged wait for selection, but it does not establish whether he will feature in the final match.

With the series level at 2-2, the fifth T20I presents India with an opportunity to secure the series. The management must decide whether to retain its existing opening combination or make a change.

For now, Gambhir’s position remains clear: Sooryavanshi has been recognised for his talent, but he must wait for his opportunity. Whether that chance arrives in the series decider will depend on the final team selection.