Former Indian Test opener Sadagopan Ramesh praised the Indian openers – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma – after India won the third T20I by six wickets at the Hnry Stadium, Wellington. Ramesh highlighted that India’s team management gave a treat to Sooryavanshi by making him open the innings with Abhishek and he was able to grab his chance with both hands.
Sooryavanshi had managed only four runs in the second game while batting at one drop however he smashed a blistering knock of 45 runs off just 19 balls in the third game.
Ramesh said on his Instagram handle, “Suryavanshi got a chocolate from the team management when they sent him to open. He batted with the freedom of a small boy on a Friday evening that is free in the mind, knowing the next two days are off.”
Abhishek, on the other hand, was at his brutal best, scoring a majestic knock of 113 runs off just 38 balls. Ramesh hailed the left-hander for his match-winning knock.
He added, “Abhishek Sharma is batting like someone who bowlers fear just by hearing his name. He batted like a demon today. Almost all the fastest records for an opening partnership were broken. 133 runs in seven overs equates to a run rate of 19, which is just astonishing. Despite there still being time for Diwali, the Indian batters, especially Abhishek, kept bursting 1000 and 10,000 wala crackers with the bat.”
India had a 2-2 series draw against the West Indies and Ramesh noted that this is a crucial series win for Shreyas Iyer’s team.
“This was a crucial series win, especially after the losses in Ireland and England. Abroad victories are even more important now because the next T20 World Cup is in Australia,” said Ramesh (via the aforementioned source).
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
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