Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has not been part of India's recent T20I playing XIs, and that has become a talking point among fans. Many of them want to see the teenage batsman in action. Former India spinner Murali Kartik has now given his clear view on the situation: the team should not disturb its opening combination without a compelling reason.
Kartik shared his message during an interaction on Sony Sports Network. His point was simple — selection calls should be based on what the team needs, not on the wish to bring in a new player.
Why Murali Kartik Wants India To Back Its Openers
Kartik accepted that India's opening pair can be inconsistent. But he argued that the same combination has also delivered important results for the team. In his view, that record matters when people call for a change.
"I am not somebody who makes a change f..." — Sony Sports Network interaction, as reported
To put it plainly, Kartik's message is about patience. A young player waiting for his chance is not a crisis. Breaking a settled opening pair to fit him in, without a strong reason, could do more harm than good.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Selection Debate: What Fans Want vs What Team Needs
The debate around Sooryavanshi is really a debate about two different things — what fans want and what the team needs. Fans want to see the teenage batsman in action. The team management, according to Kartik's logic, has to think about the balance of the side first.
- Fans have made Sooryavanshi's absence from the T20I playing XIs a talking point
- Kartik says selection decisions must follow team requirements
- He admits the opening pair can be inconsistent but points to its important results
- He does not support changing the combination without a compelling reason
Our Take: Kartik Is Right To Put Team Balance First
In our view, Kartik's position is the sensible one. It is unfortunate that a talented teenager is not getting game time, and it is fair for fans to be impatient. But international cricket is not a stage for giving chances on demand. A player earns his spot, and a combination that has won important games deserves some protection.
The bigger question is not whether Sooryavanshi should play. It is whether the team has a clear plan for him. If the plan is to wait for the right slot, that is fine — as long as the wait does not stretch so long that a young career loses momentum. For readers, the takeaway is simple: do not read too much into one selection call. Kartik's message is that calm thinking should beat noise, and on this point, he is right.
