Aakash Chopra opens up on Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s selection ahead of Ireland & England 2026 T20Is

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra said he subscribes to the thought every player should have decent first-class experience before he is picked in India’s senior team. However, Chopra backed the selectors’ decision to pick a talented player like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the UK tour.

The prodigy batter ended the IPL 2026 season with 776 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and a blistering strike rate of 237.30. He ended as the leading run-getter in the tournament and thus bagged the Orange Cap. Along with it, he was awarded the MVP of the tournament, Super Striker of the Season, Emerging Player of the season, and also bagged the award for the most sixes (72) in the season.

Sooryavanshi has thus far played only eight first-class matches and has scored 207 runs at an average of 17.25.

“Many times when you see such a talent, you feel it shouldn’t get late. It’s not going to get late because this guy has so many years ahead of him that he will play for a long time. However, you still feel why one year should be wasted,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra said Sooryavanshi should not be held back and he should be given the exposure at the top stage.

“However, with whatever we have seen of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, it seems like he is that tsunami you shouldn’t try to stop. In fact, enable and allow him to come and take the center stage, that he should come and dictate, as he is a talent like that,” he observed.

The renowned commentator is not sure if Sooryavanshi will play all the matches on the UK tour.

“I don’t think he will play all the matches in any case. He has been kept part of the Indian team. He is currently part of the India A team and got out early as well in the first match. So you keep failing, and you keep learning. You keep succeeding, and still you keep learning. So that job will happen with him,” he said.

The former Delhi cricketer said the youngster is a long-term prospect for India and he is hopeful that he delivers whenever he gets his chance.

“He will be a part of the dressing room, but he won’t get a chance immediately. However, when he gets it, I really hope he does well. It’s a slight long-term planning for him. It’s not short-term for him, that he would be left out if he doesn’t do well in one or two series. You will have to plan slightly long for him. He looks ready. Fingers crossed that, as ready as he is looking, his performance should be as explosive,” Chopra observed.

India will play two T20Is against Ireland and five against England.