Former Indian wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik has backed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be part of India’s playing XI for the second T20I against New Zealand. After India registered a four-wicket win in the opening T20I on Thursday, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak revealed that Ishan Kishan was demoted in the batting order due to a groin niggle.
Thus, Kishan is most likely to be ruled out of the second game against the Kiwis. Karthik backed Sooryavanshi to play ahead of Shivam Dube and Varun Chakravarthy.
“Well, there are three choices actually India have,” Karthik said in a video uploaded on his official Instagram handle. “There is Shivam Dube that they can bring in, Varun Chakravarthy, because India has struggled with the ball a bit. The last one, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Now, if Ishan Kishan goes out, I really feel Vaibhav should come in.”
Karthik backed the youngster to bat at one drop as he doesn’t want to change the in-form opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
“Ideally, the openers have done exceedingly well. Can he bat at three? I definitely think so,” Karthik explained. “It’s a big challenge, but he has the skill, the talent to bat outside of the powerplay. Also, they can obviously open with Vaibhav Suryavanshi and bat Sanju Samson at three. Now, these are decisions India have to take.”
The RCB mentor said India should think of adding Varun Chakravarthy in the playing XI as bowling is an issue.
“We all know how effective he (Varun Chakravarthy) is through the middle picking of wickets,” Karthik said. “So far, India has struggled in that phase. Runs seem to go, no wickets are happening. That’s a very good option as well. Shivam Dube also can be brought in. But I think more than batting, it’s India’s bowling.”
Karthik said he would back V aibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of Varun Chakravarthy in the second T20I against the Blackcaps.
“So, the two choices that I would look at, Varun versus Vaibhav and I would tilt towards Vaibhav because of the talent, skill, most importantly, man, he’s a seriously good player,” Karthik added. “He’ll smack it if he gets a chance. There’s no doubt. Attractive to watch. And he will set world cricket ablaze, there’s no doubt about it.”
The second T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday.
