Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath has backed Varun Chakaravarthy’s selection ahead of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the third T20I against New Zealand. Sooryavanshi had replaced Ishan Kishan in the final XI in the second game but the youngster struggled to get going, managing only four runs off eight deliveries.
Kishan has been ruled out of the third T20I and it would be interesting if the team management retains Sooryavanshi in the playing XI.
Meanwhile, India has backed Axar Patel as the spin bowling all-rounder in the first two games whereas Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy haven’t received their chances. Naman Dhir bowled a solitary over in the last game at Christchurch.
Interestingly, New Zealand’s spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell have got help from the surface in the first two games and they have been right on the money.
Badrinath said on his YouTube Channel, “Instead of playing Suryavanshi at No.3, India can play Varun Chakaravarthy in the 11. The players down the order are doing well now. So, why not go for a bowler like Varun? New Zealand’s scores of 220 and 180 could have been 200 and 160 in the first two games.”
The former CSK batter said it would be unfair on Sanju Samson if he is asked to sacrifice his opening slot.
“It’s unfair to Sanju Samson if he has to sacrifice his opening spot for Suryavanshi. Yes, Suryavanshi has thrived only as an opener, but Samson is doing brilliantly as an opener. Though Samson has done well for Rajasthan Royals at No.3, I think Suryavanshi needs to wait. The position is more important than the player. I definitely will not disrupt Sanju Samson,” said Badrinath (via the aforementioned source).
Samson scored an impressive knock of 67 runs off just 33 balls in the series opener against New Zealand.
The third T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday.
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