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Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has backed the Indian team management’s cautious handling of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi but insisted that clear communication with the youngster is essential as he waits for his international debut.With growing calls for the 15-year-old to be included in India’s playing XI during the ongoing T20I series against England, Parthiv believes Sooryavanshi will eventually get his opportunity. However, he stressed that the coaching staff must ensure the youngster fully understands where he stands in the squad.Speaking on Jio Hotstar, Parthiv said, “I feel Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will definitely get an opportunity at some point in this series. But at this stage, communication is extremely important. When you’re part of the coaching staff, you have to make sure you communicate clearly with the players. Even if you’re not going to play him, you have to tell him that.”“He’s a 15-year-old kid, so you need to be very careful with him and advise him to be patient. There are a lot of players who have also done really well. Sanju Samson was the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup. Ishan Kishan, who is batting at three, is the ICC’s No. 1-ranked T20I batter, while Abhishek Sharma is No. 2. At this point in time, there isn’t a place for Vaibhav in the XI, and that needs to be communicated to him really well,” he added.Parthiv’s comments came a day after India bowling coach Morne Morkel also called for patience, reiterating the management’s faith in established openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma despite increasing demands for Sooryavanshi’s inclusion.Addressing Samson’s lean run during the ongoing UK tour, Morkel said the coaching staff had a responsibility to back players who had consistently delivered for India.“I think we need to respect the fact that we had our No. 1 batter in T20 cricket, Abhishek Sharma. Sanju was the player of the World Cup,” Morkel explained. “Samson had a great IPL. So, as a coaching staff, it’s only fair to show trust and support for your players. Yes, a young man is knocking on the door, and that’s exciting. But for not just those two players at the top, but for the entire group, it’s good that we show our support.”Morkel also made it clear that India were reluctant to reshuffle the batting order simply to accommodate a new player.“In a day, it’s about putting performances on the board. That is the key. But we also don’t want to think too much and put other players in different positions. So, it’s not as simple as just saying, ‘Let’s play Sooryavanshi.’“It’s about standing by some of the guys who have won World Cups, who have performed well in tough situations, and then building from there to strengthen our top order as much as possible in these conditions.”Sooryavanshi forced his way into the senior setup after a phenomenal IPL 2026 campaign for Rajasthan Royals, scoring 776 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 237.30 to win the Player of the Tournament award. However, he is still awaiting his India debut after remaining on the bench throughout the recent T20I series in Ireland, which India lost 2-0.
