The rise of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been one of Indian cricket’s most talked-about stories this year, but former cricketer Aakash Chopra has now raised an uncomfortable question about his immediate future in national colours. Speaking on his popular YouTube show, Chopra suggested that the youngster might be better served returning to domestic cricket rather than sitting idle on the India bench.
According to Chopra, the problem is not Sooryavanshi’s talent but simple arithmetic. India’s top order in T20Is is currently occupied by batters who have been consistently delivering, leaving almost no room for an opening slot to open up anytime soon. ‘It’s heartbreaking to say this about someone so gifted, but there seems to be no other way forward for now,’ Chopra remarked, adding that persistent benching could stunt rather than aid the youngster’s development.
Chopra Also Backs Tilak Varma Amid Criticism
Chopra didn’t stop at Sooryavanshi. He also came out strongly in defence of Tilak Varma, who has faced scrutiny over recent returns in the middle order. Chopra felt the criticism directed at the left-hander was unfair given the context of matches he has played and the responsibility he has shouldered. As CricketBuzz reported earlier, Tilak has been a key part of India’s middle-order plans across formats, and Chopra’s comments add weight to the argument that patience, not panic, is needed with young talent.
CricketBuzz understands that the broader debate now centres on how India balances nurturing young prospects like Sooryavanshi with the demands of a settled, high-performing squad. Chopra’s suggestion to send him back to Ranji Trophy cricket isn’t a demotion in his eyes, but a practical route to ensure the youngster keeps getting quality game time instead of accumulating bench experience. Whether the selectors agree remains to be seen, but the conversation around Sooryavanshi’s career path has clearly intensified. Stay with CricketBuzz for more updates as this story develops.
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