Srikkanth Criticizes India for Dropping In-Form Sooryavanshi

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has publicly criticized the Indian cricket team management for dropping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the playing XI for the first T20I against Afghanistan, calling the decision improper treatment of a player in form. The criticism centers on the team's handling of the 15-year-old opener, who was named Player of the Series in India's previous T20I assignment against Zimbabwe. Sooryavanshi was excluded from the match on September 13, 2026, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opening the innings instead. The teenager had scored 151 runs at a strike rate of 196.10 across the three-match series against Zimbabwe, earning the Player of the Series award. His omission came despite that strong recent performance. Srikkanth, speaking on his YouTube channel, questioned the rationale behind the selection. "Yesterday, because Sooryavanshi didn't play, we started watching a movie. My wife was shouting that Sooryavanshi didn't play and started arguing that someone who was the Player of the Match in the last match isn't playing," Srikkanth said. He added that the decision sends wrong signals and creates doubts in players' minds.