Gautam Gambhir has made his intentions clear on the ongoing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi case. The Indian head coach has completely defended his selection decisions after teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was left out of the playing XI for the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand in Hamilton on Sunday. Gambhir has stated that he wants to make the right decisions rather than trying to make everyone happy.
‘My job is not to make everyone happy’: Gambhir makes intentions clear with brutal take on Sooryavanshi's case
Speaking ahead of the fifth T20I match, Gambhir made clear that his priority is team stability and long-term performance rather than responding to public or social media pressure. He said:
“First of all, my job is not to make everyone happy. My job is to take the right decisions, not the popular decisions. And that is what I’m there for.”
Gambhir added that in an era dominated by social media chatter, it is easy to choose the crowd-pleasing option, but the more important task is ensuring “a lot of security inside the dressing room.” Gambhir continued:
“Because as you just mentioned that there's a lot of talent. But again, I think guys have done phenomenally well over a longer period of time. Obviously deserves a longer rope. And that is exactly how we approach the series.”
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has become one of the most talked-about young talents in Indian cricket. He featured in two matches in the series, scoring just 4 in one outing before producing a scintillating 45 off 19 balls in the third T20I in Wellington. That innings, packed with four fours and four sixes, formed part of a record-breaking opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma that helped India post the highest powerplay score in men’s T20I history and clinch the series with games to spare.
Despite that impact and the fact that the final match carried less competitive weight with India already leading 3-1, the management preferred continuity. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma retained their places at the top of the order. Both players have delivered consistently over a longer period and contributed significantly to India’s recent T20 World Cup success. Gambhir explained the thinking behind the decision.
Gambhir wants Sooryavanshi to wait for opportunities
Gambhir has previously told the young batter that he must wait for opportunities, stressing that social media noise does not dictate team selection. The coach also rejected the idea of treating any international fixture lightly. He said:
“When you’re playing for your country, there is no complacency. It’s an international game… For me, I think every game is an opportunity to do something different, to learn something, to evolve. And that is exactly how we approach the game.”
Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise has fuelled intense debate among fans and commentators. The left-hander has impressed in domestic cricket and limited international appearances, including strong showings earlier in the year. Many fans argue that a series already secured presented the ideal chance to blood the youngster further and give him valuable experience. Others point out that India possesses exceptional depth and that chopping and changing after a few matches risks unsettling a settled combination that has delivered results. Hence, his omission has sparked a brutal debate which has divided the cricket fans.
Gambhir’s stance reflects a deliberate approach to squad management. By prioritising security for players who have performed over an extended period, the coaching staff aims to maintain confidence and consistency within the group. At the same time, the presence of high-quality reserves such as Sooryavanshi creates healthy internal competition. Meanwhile, the occurrence has highlighted the challenges of managing a talent-rich Indian T20 side, and Gambhir wants to make sure he chooses the right one among the many talents.
India set target of 192 runs for New Zealand
Meanwhile, India has set a target of 192 runs for New Zealand as the Men in Blue bowlers look to defend the total and end the T20I series on a winning note in Hamilton. The series is currently 3-2 in favour of Gambhir’s side. As India concludes the New Zealand tour, attention will turn to how the young batter is handled in future assignments. For now, the message from the head coach is unambiguous as for him, popularity is not the metric but the results, security and long-term planning come first.
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