Home
Former cricketers have backed the inclusion of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as India begin post-T20 World Cup 2026 era next month. But, former India batter, Ambati Rayudu, has advised a different route for the selectors. Rayudu wants them to try Gujarat Titans (GT) openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill for the role. He feels that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 orange cap contenders are capable of tackling the Australian conditions (New Zealand too) well in the next edition of T20 World Cup.
“I think we are witnessing a pair that might travel to Australia and tackle the conditions there. The wicket was very similar in pace and bounce. And the ease with which these two are batting…I’ll be surprised if both of them don’t go there,” Rayudu said on ESPNCricinfo’s Time Out show.
“If conditions suit them, if you take a Gill, you would like to take Sudharsan as well, because they both complement each other beautifully. You are seeing it in the partnership; they both know each other’s game very well. It’s a great add-on if you want them to excel in different conditions,” he added.
Gill has 722 runs from 15 innings, followed by Sudharsan with 710 runs. Both batters have a century each in the season. Gill has six fifties whereas Sudharsan has eight. The strike rate of spinner (163.71) is slightly better than his opening partner (159.55).
“I am not saying others are not good…It just might be that they both might be more suitable than the others,” Rayudu further added.
Gill dropped, Sudharsan not in reckoning
Gill faced T20I snub before the T20 World Cup 2026. The vice-captain was dropped for Ishan Kishan as his numbers dropped in the format. The move paid dividends as Kishan played a vital cog in the wheel in India’s second consecutive T20 World Cup title win. Meanwhile, Sudharsan made his T20I debut in Zimbabwe in 2024 under Gill’s captaincy but didn’t get to bat.
Ex-Aussie pacer advises against selection based on IPL seasoned
Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) Director of Cricket advised against picking Sudharsan and Gill on IPL form. He pointed out how Indian team has suffered often by picking players in Tests based on IPL performances.
“The depth they have got is just phenomenal. But again, you are looking at the micro space of IPL; you need to look at the bigger picture. We all get carried away with what happens in IPL. But international cricket is on a different level again,” he said.
“We have seen it dictate selection in all forms of the game, haven’t we? Have a good IPL and that can get you selected in the Test team.”
Moody opined that IPL performers should not be fast-tracked to the Indian senior side.
“That’s my point. You identify the talent. It should not force you to pick that talent then. I think a bigger story needs to be had to qualify for a position,” he said.
Sudharsan’s another chance in Tests, T20I squad selection soon
While Gill is India’s captain in Tests and ODIs, Sudharsan has got a long rope in Tests. The 24-year-old has retained his Test spot for one-off Afghanistan Test. He has scored 302 runs from six Tests at an average of 27.45. He has two fifties in the red-ball format.
It is yet to be seen whether Gill and Sudharsan get picked for the T20Is on UK tour. Sooryavanshi has been backed by plenty of former cricketers to make his T20I debut soon.
ADVERTISEMENT
