Should not drop someone just to give Sooryavanshi an opportunity: Sitanshu Kotak

While the build-up to India's two-match T20I series against Ireland centers around a potential debut for 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak suggested it would be unfair to change the combination to fit him into the XI.

India's top-order is stacked with firepower. Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan are ranked first and second in the ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings, while Sanju Samson was Player of the Tournament in India's victorious T20 World Cup campaign.

Addressing the media on the eve of the opener in Belfast, Kotak remained tight-lipped about a possible debut, stating head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shreyas Iyer would finalize the XI later.

"I am sure he will get his dues and opportunities," Kotak said. "I don't think that just to give him an opportunity, we should drop someone who has already been scoring runs. That won't be right."

Kotak praised Sooryavanshi, who broke into the T20I setup after a 776-run IPL 2026 campaign for Rajasthan Royals, striking 72 sixes and winning the MVP Award. He called the left-handed opener an "outstanding talent" while stressing the need for him to enjoy his experience.

"Gautam was telling him to feel like he's playing for his own team and say whatever he feels," Kotak added.

Ireland's newly appointed T20 skipper Lorcan Tucker also praised Sooryavanshi's achievement at age 15.

"I think it's pretty incredible for them to have a 15-year-old on their team," Tucker said. "I didn't think that was possible in this professional era. Credit to him."

Dubbing him a "special player," Tucker hoped to keep Sooryavanshi's bat quiet.

"We're hoping to spoil that party and make an impact," Tucker said, acknowledging the buzz around the youngster and the massive Indian community in Ireland.