Former Indian wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has defended the team’s think tank decision to bench Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the first T20I against New Zealand. Karthik dismissed the idea that Sooryavanshi would be better off playing domestic cricket rather than warming the bench for the Indian team.
The former gloveman highlighted that only 11 players can not complete a squad for a particular tour. Sooryavanshi made his T20I debut against England after having a superb IPL 2026 for RR but since then he hasn’t received his chances consistently.
He played two matches in the Asian Games but didn’t get any game time in the five-match T20I series against the West Indies. The youngster was also left out of the first T20I against the Kiwis on Thursday.
Karthik said on Cricbuzz, “If players not playing feel it’s better to play domestic cricket instead of warming the bench, there will only be 11 touring always. So that’s not going to happen. If you say Vaibhav shouldn’t be there when he’s not part of the 11 because he’s extra special, then what about the other five players? Why aren’t they so good that they can’t be sent home to play domestic cricket? There is no end to it.”
“I understand some feeling; it doesn’t help Vaibhav’s growth just watching from the sidelines. But being part of a cricket team means when only 11 can play, this happens. Hopefully, an honest conversation has happened with Vaibhav.”
On the other hand, Karthik reckons Sooryavanshi is a backup option for the two openers and Ishan Kishan in the Indian team.
“It’s best to pick the best 16, and if anything happens to the openers or Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav will come in. He’s a backup option, and that’s a legitimate part of the squad. Now, if it’s a Test match in India over five days, a lot of times they send players to play domestic cricket. But in T20Is and ODIs, that’s not possible, especially when you are traveling,” said Karthik (via the aforementioned source).
The second T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday.
