Still waiting for his chance with India, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi watches on. Though excitement builds around the teenager, he missed selection again – this time in favor of two new faces picked for Sunday’s second T20I against Ireland in Belfast.

Just before the coin flip, Prince Yadav got his first T20I cap. So did Suryansh Shedge. Though he played an ODI for India this month against Afghanistan, this game was new ground for Yadav in Twenty20s. The match against Ireland brought Shedge into the spotlight. His entry came through a last-minute addition to the team roster.

This outing counted as his initial run in the national setup.

Prince and Shedge Get Their Opportunity for Team India

Out went Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar after they didn’t do much in the first match. Instead of Washington, the team picked Shedge – a player who bats well and can also toss down medium-paced deliveries. Solid showings with India A helped, especially since Nitish Kumar Reddy got hurt, opening space for Shedge’s first senior national selection.

Prince Yadav crashed into India’s T20I setup following a breakout IPL 2026 run with Lucknow Super Giants.

His first ODI outing against Afghanistan didn’t shine bright, yet the selection panel still trusts his limited-overs edge.

Praising Shedge’s journey upward, Captain Shreyas Iyer spoke at the toss.
Patience might help, Iyer suggested, when it comes to Prince Yadav starting out in T20Is.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Awaits England Series

Even without being questioned directly on leaving out Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Iyer made it clear post the first T20I – veteran, set batsmen are still top of mind when picking the team.

Even though fast bowlers get swapped out often because of strain and fitness issues, India’s top scorer stays put most times. Rotation hits support players harder, yet the lineup at the crease hardly shifts. With pace units resting regularly, batters keep their spots without much change. Because overs add up for throwers, others step in – but not so for those facing deliveries. While some need recovery time after spells, the hitters’ chain sticks close to routine.

His first appearance could happen when India faces England in the upcoming T20Is, a tour likely to see more player changes.

Yet timing depends on selection shifts across five games next month.

India’s Playing XI vs Ireland (2nd T20I)

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (w), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav

Bench: Ravi Bishnoi, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar

India’s Playing XI vs Ireland (2nd T20I)

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (w), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav

Bench: Ravi Bishnoi, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar