This is dictatorship: Sooryavanshi's childhood coach slams Indian team management

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's childhood coach, Manish Ojha, has accused the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management of "dictatorship". He has lashed out after Vaibhav was kept out of the first 3 T20Is against West Indies.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has not played the first 3 T20Is in the West Indies series. (AP Photo)New Delhi,Oct 13, 2026 13:01 ISTVaibhav Sooryavanshi's continued absence from India's playing XI has left his childhood coach Manish Ojha fuming. Taking aim at the Gautam Gambhir-led team management, Ojha accused the Indian setup of behaving like a “dictatorship”, arguing that a prodigious talent like Sooryavanshi needs opportunities to play rather than being made to wait on the sidelines.Sooryavanshi has been benched in each of India's first three T20Is against the West Indies, with the team management yet to hand the teenage batter an opportunity in the series. The youngster had represented India at the Asian Games 2026, but has struggled to find a place in the playing XI against Shai Hope's side.Speaking to Times Now, an irate Ojha said the team management appeared to believe that players could be developed by keeping them on the bench. He insisted that young cricketers needed regular match experience to mature, improve their game and prepare for the demands of international cricket.“This current Indian team management, they feel that they make players by keeping them on the bench. So they are doing that work. 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 are put into that situation; they are made to play. Sitting on the bench, no player has ever been made, nor will they be,” Ojha said. Dejected Vaibhav Sooryavanshi walks off after being dismissed. (AP Photo) 'MANAGEMENT DOING DICTATORSHIP'The coach was particularly concerned about the effect Sooryavanshi's prolonged wait could have on the youngster's confidence. He argued that being left out repeatedly could make a player question his value to the team, rather than helping him develop through experience at the highest level.“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. I mean what to say now? When you sit out, then you get a feeling that I have no utility in the team; the kid gets frustrated,” he said. This kid, at this age, should become mature by playing match by match and there should be refinement and improvement coming in his game. He is sitting outside and serving water. I feel that the management that is here right now, they are doing a kind of dictatorship where whatever comes to mind, they will do."'VAIBHAV IS LIKE A STORM'Ojha also expressed unwavering confidence in Sooryavanshi's ability to succeed, insisting that the teenager's talent would shine through regardless of the current selection decisions.“According to me, Vaibhav is like a storm. Whoever tries to take him on will eventually break, if not today, then tomorrow. And this storm is here to stay for a long time. We are not talking about six months, one year or one or two IPL seasons,” he said.“For years to come, you will see his performances shine like a star, like the sun. Let everyone do what they want; he will score runs everywhere, and he will do so with authority. That is how much talent and potential this young boy has.”Sooryavanshi earned his India call-up after impressive performances in the Indian Premier League and junior cricket. He made his T20I debut in July 2026 and has scored 246 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 186.Ojha's frustration extends beyond the ongoing West Indies series. According to the figures provided, Sooryavanshi has been left out of the playing XI in 11 of the 19 matches India have played since his maiden call-up, prompting his coach to question whether the team management is giving the youngster enough opportunities to fulfil his potential.- Ends