As India get ready to lock horns with Ireland in the first T20I, to be held on Friday in Belfast, there is a huge sense of anticipation with respect to teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's potential India debut. The fearless kid received his maiden international call-up after taking the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 by storm. However, there still remains uncertainty whether Vaibhav will get to make his debut because the Indian squad is already packed with promising performers in Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, who have played their huge roles at the top of the order over the past few months. 

Moreover, there have been opinions that Sooryavanshi might have to wait for his debut, but former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that the young gun might receive an opportunity, with Ishan Kishan making the way for the batter.

“I have a feeling Ishan Kishan might have to wait for his opportunity in this match because I just don't see a place for him in the XI. Essentially, the team has to pick two out of Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube. Dube is almost certain to play, and Tilak Varma is also expected to feature. Ishan Kishan is in terrific form and has been batting brilliantly, but I feel he might just miss out on a place in tomorrow's playing XI," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

“So, I feel that Shreyas Iyer will bat at No. 4 in this match. You need a right-handed batter in the middle order, and since he's the captain, at No. 5, either Ishan Kishan or Tilak Varma should play. But Tilak is the vice-captain; he will get the nod and will bat at No. 5. At No. 6, (Shivam) Dube comes in. He played in the World Cup and can also chip in with a couple of overs, so he'll bat at No. 6. Axar Patel will bat at No. 7, while Harshit Rana slots in at No. 8.”

Sooryavanshi burst onto the scene following a successful IPL campaign, finishing as the top run scorer with 776 runs. He also hit 72 sixes, shattering Chris Gayle's previous record of 59 sixes.