India, Sept. 21 -- Rather than being influenced by the hype surrounding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL exploits, decision-makers in Indian cricket have adopted a cautious approach to grooming the gifted strokeplayer.

Being the highest run-getter (776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30) in the 2026 IPL has not got the teenager automatic selection in the playing XI. India coach Gautam Gambhir stuck to the 2026 T20 World Cup winning opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.

The next big assignment is the Asian Games, but the Rajasthan Royals batter has to wait for his chances.

Simultaneously, India's think tank is also grooming him in red-ball cricket. How much he is valued is obvious from the fact that in the domestic season open...