Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his views on Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s batting position amid the ongoing five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand.
Ashwin believes the Indian team management should avoid creating unnecessary confusion around the 15-year-old batter. He feels Suryavanshi should open the innings rather than bat at No. 3 when Ishan Kishan is unavailable.
The youngster got an opportunity in the second T20I after Kishan was ruled out due to injury. However, Suryavanshi struggled at No. 3, scoring just four runs off eight deliveries.
“I think we are creating confusion without reason. It is very clear. Vaibhav Suryavanshi is not the first choice pick in the XI. Sanju and Abhishek will be at the top. But I really like what they did in this game. For a particular game, you need to pick the right order with the XI you have. Till Ishan is not there, your best option is Samson for the number three role. He has that experience. Till Ishan comes back, this is the right option,” he said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.
Former Indian spinner Rahul Sharma also concurred with Ashwin in the same discussion, and said Sooryavanshi’s best batting position is the opening slot.
He said, “I feel Vaibhav Suryavanshi best fits in the opening position. He showed what he can do in the IPL from the very first ball. I am not at all surprised by how he is playing. I feel they will back him. Maybe they will look to make him open with Abhishek in the T20 World Cup and hence took this chance. You will have to give that to him.”
Sharma backed Sooryavanshi to play the rest of the series if Ishan Kishan fails to recover from his injury.
“If Ishan is not fit, you have the chance to give Vaibhav two more chances, as you have already won the series. There is a headache, but I feel this is a good headache. I see Kuldeep also sitting out, and I am shocked. He is the best spinner in the country right now,” he said.
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
