Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Set for T20I Debut Amidst Rising Stardom

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the young cricket sensation, is poised to make his T20I debut following impressive performances in various tournaments, including the IPL 2026. After a stellar innings in the U19 World Cup, he is expected to shine in the upcoming series against Ireland. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer returns as captain of the T20I team after a break, replacing Suryakumar Yadav. This article delves into their journeys and the upcoming matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 21, 2026, 22:22 IST

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Impressive Journey

Since making his senior cricket debut, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has captured attention with his remarkable performances across various tournaments. After showcasing his batting skills for Bihar, he excelled with the Rajasthan Royals, clinching the Orange Cap in IPL 2026. In his recent World Cup appearance for India U19, he delivered an outstanding 175-run innings. Although he faced challenges in his initial India A series, he bounced back in the final match, scoring an impressive 94 runs off just 29 balls, narrowly missing a century by six runs.

Sooryavanshi is set to return to the field shortly, having been included in the T20I squad for the upcoming series against Ireland and England. There is a strong possibility that he will earn his first T20I cap during the Ireland matches. The two T20Is against Ireland are scheduled for June 26 and 28 in Belfast, with Sooryavanshi expected to play on June 26.

Following the Ireland series, the Indian team will travel to England for five T20Is and three ODIs. If Sooryavanshi performs well against Ireland, he is likely to retain his place in the playing XI for the matches against England. The T20Is are set to take place on July 1, 4, 7, 9, and 11 across various venues, while the ODIs will be held on July 14, 16, and 19. Notably, Sooryavanshi was not included in the ODI squad.

Shreyas Iyer's Comeback as T20I Captain

Shreyas Iyer is making a comeback as the captain of the T20I team after a hiatus since December 2023. The selectors made a significant decision to replace Suryakumar Yadav as captain and exclude him from the squad. Iyer previously led India to victory in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

His leadership has been recognized, especially after guiding the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 championship, while also leading Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals to the finals in 2025 and 2020, respectively.