New Delhi, October 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former India cricketer Robin Singh believes the competition between young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and experienced wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for a place at the top of India’s T20I batting order is healthy for the team, as it can push players to maintain their performance levels.
With Sooryavanshi making a strong impression in the IPL and Under-19 cricket, India face a selection dilemma over who should partner Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order.
Robin, a former India all-rounder, said young players need sufficient opportunities to understand the demands of international cricket. However, he acknowledged that Sooryavanshi may have to wait for his chances because other players have also performed well.
“It is a question of giving people a good run. You don’t want to give a youngster just one game or two games, and then you make him sit on a bench. I think those days are gone. It’s important to also let him understand what international cricket is,” Robin told IANS.
He praised Sooryavanshi’s ability and said waiting for an opportunity would not necessarily be a setback for the youngster.
“Sooryavanshi has enough and more talent. So, you know, even if he has to sit on a bench and wait it out, it’s okay. But the others have done very well,” he said.
Robin added that competition within the squad could help players avoid complacency.
“So, you know, it’s good to have competition. It’s good to have people beating down your neck so that you don’t slip up with your performances,” he said.
Sooryavanshi has been part of India’s T20I squads since the away series against Ireland but has featured in eight of the 18 matches played since then, according to the report.
He made his T20I debut in the second match of India’s five-game series in England, when the team dropped Samson after three consecutive failures despite his strong showing at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Samson returned to contention after being rested for the T20I series against Zimbabwe and has retained the opening role, particularly in home matches.
India also experimented with playing both Sooryavanshi and Samson during the Asian Games in Japan. However, the team combination included only one specialist fast bowler and several spin-bowling all-rounders, with the conditions favouring spin.
With more fast bowlers now featuring in the playing XI, Sooryavanshi has had to wait for an opportunity as Samson and Abhishek continue to open the innings.
Robin’s remarks underline the balance India must strike between giving a talented youngster a sustained run and rewarding players who have performed consistently.
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