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15-Year-Old IPL Hero Misses India Debut vs NZ
22 Oct
Summary
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, IPL 2026's top scorer, was omitted from India's playing XI.
- India's captain Shreyas Iyer chose to bowl first against New Zealand.
- The decision highlights India's extensive batting talent pool.
In a surprising turn of events, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who dominated IPL 2026 as its leading run-scorer, was not included in India's Playing XI for the first T20I against New Zealand on October 22, 2026. India's captain, Shreyas Iyer, won the toss and opted to bowl first at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
This omission serves as a stark testament to the immense batting depth within the Indian squad. The fact that a player of Sooryavanshi's caliber, fresh off a stellar IPL season, couldn't find a place in the starting lineup highlights the wealth of talent available.
India's head-to-head record against New Zealand in T20Is is strong, leading 17-11 overall. This series is particularly significant as India arrives as the reigning T20 World Champions, having successfully defended their title earlier in 2026.
New Zealand, despite recent series losses, will be looking to leverage their home advantage. Key players are returning for the hosts, while India's squad boasts experienced players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has returned to the T20I setup after a four-year absence.
