- Sooryavanshi’s childhood coach, Manish Ojha, criticised the Indian team management.
- Ojha argued that talented youngsters need match opportunities to develop.
- Calling the management’s approach “dictatorship”, Ojha backed Sooryavanshi.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's continued absence from India's playing XI has sparked criticism from his childhood coach, Manish Ojha, who has questioned the Gautam Gambhir-led team management's approach to handling the teenage batting sensation.
Sooryavanshi has been left out of the playing XI in India's first three T20Is against the West Indies, with Sanju Samson featuring at the top of the order.
The decision has frustrated Ojha, who believes a young player with Sooryavanshi's potential needs opportunities on the field rather than spending extended periods on the bench.
🚨Practicing dictatorship - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's childhood coach slams Gambhir's management for youngster's snub🤯 Manish Ojha said : 🗣️ "According to me, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is like a storm. Whoever tries to take him on will eventually break, if not today, then tomorrow. This current Indian team management feels that they make players by keeping them on the bench. There are many other legends of cricket, you talk to them, and everyone will say that if we have to prepare the next generation of players, they must be put into those situations, they must be made to play. Sitting on the bench, no player has ever been made, nor will they be. And especially if such talent is kept on the bench. They either made up their mind that this kid will not be given a chance, keep him out & frustrate him so much. He is sitting outside & serving water. I feel that the management that is here right now is practicing a kind of dictatorship where whatever comes to mind, they will do".
— Akshat (@Cricketmythos) October 12, 2026
Speaking to Sports Now, Ojha described the 15-year-old as a talent capable of making a lasting impact on Indian cricket.
“According to me, Vaibhav is like a storm. Whoever tries to take him on will eventually break, if not today, then tomorrow,” Ojha said.
'No Player Has Ever Been Made By Sitting On The Bench'
Ojha questioned the team management's belief that players could develop while waiting for opportunities. He argued that young cricketers need exposure to challenging match situations to learn, improve and establish themselves at the highest level.
“This current Indian team management feels that they make players by keeping them on the bench. There are many other legends of cricket; you talk to them, and everyone will say that if we have to prepare the next generation of players, they must be put into those situations; they must be made to play,” he said.
“Sitting on the bench, no player has ever been made, nor will they be. And especially if such talent is kept on the bench,” he added.
The coach's criticism was particularly sharp when he spoke about Sooryavanshi's role in the squad despite not getting a chance to play.
Ojha Accuses Team Management Of 'Dictatorship'
Ojha suggested that repeatedly leaving the teenager out could affect his confidence and make him question his role within the team.
“Then either they have made up their mind that this kid will not be given a chance... keep him out and frustrate him so much. He is sitting outside and serving water,” Ojha said.
He then accused the current management of making decisions without sufficient consideration for the youngster's development.
“I feel that the management that is here right now is practising a kind of dictatorship where whatever comes to mind, they will do,” he added.
Sooryavanshi Waits For His Opportunity
Sooryavanshi's exclusion has become a talking point as India continue to manage their opening combination. The left-handed batter had featured alongside Abhishek Sharma during the Asian Games, while Samson has been preferred in the first three matches of the West Indies series.
The selection dilemma highlights the challenge of balancing a highly rated young talent's development with the team's existing combinations and immediate results.
While Ojha believes Sooryavanshi needs opportunities to fulfil his potential, the final decision on India's playing XI remains with the team management.