Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's T20I Struggles Spark Debate Ahead of Third Match

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's return to India's T20I squad has sparked discussions following his underwhelming performance in the second match against New Zealand. With Ishan Kishan sidelined due to injury, Sooryavanshi's struggles at the crease have led to calls for a tactical shift, including the potential inclusion of spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. Former cricketer S Badrinath emphasizes the importance of maintaining established batting roles, particularly for Sanju Samson, who has excelled as an opener. As India prepares for the third T20I, the team's strategy and player roles remain a hot topic.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 27, 2026, 11:39 IST

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Returns to India's T20I Squad

The promising young batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his comeback to India's lineup for the second T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 24. His inclusion followed Ishan Kishan's withdrawal due to a low-grade right adductor strain sustained during the first match of the series.

Batting at the No. 3 position, Sooryavanshi managed to score only 4 runs off 8 deliveries before being dismissed by Nathan Smith. Despite this setback, India secured a four-wicket victory, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series by successfully chasing down a target of 181 runs, aided by a crucial 69-run partnership between Tilak Varma (51*) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (26*). However, Sooryavanshi's performance raised questions about his place in the team ahead of the third T20I in Wellington.

Should India Drop Sooryavanshi After One Match?

Sooryavanshi's return to the playing XI came after he sat out the entire T20I series against the West Indies and the first match against New Zealand. Unfortunately, his much-anticipated debut in Christchurch did not meet expectations, as he struggled to adapt to the conditions and the New Zealand bowling attack.

Former Indian cricketer S Badrinath, speaking on his YouTube channel Cric It Badri, suggested that India might benefit from replacing the 15-year-old with mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy to strengthen their bowling lineup. He argued, "Instead of playing Sooryavanshi at No. 3, India can opt for Varun Chakaravarthy. The lower-order batsmen are performing well, so why not include a bowler like Varun?" He also noted that New Zealand's scores could have been significantly lower with a stronger bowling attack.

The Importance of Team Roles

Badrinath further emphasized the significance of maintaining established batting roles for team stability. He pointed out that Sanju Samson has excelled in the opening position, stating, "It's unfair to Sanju if he has to give up his spot for Sooryavanshi. While Sooryavanshi has performed well as an opener, Samson is currently thriving in that role."

He added, "Although Samson has had success batting at No. 3 for Rajasthan Royals, I believe Sooryavanshi should wait for his chance. The position holds more importance than the individual player, and I wouldn't disrupt Samson's rhythm."

Ishan Kishan's Injury Update

Despite inconsistent performances since the T20 World Cup 2026, Sanju Samson continues to receive support from the Indian management as a primary opener alongside Abhishek Sharma, following their successful partnership in recent matches.

In other news, Ishan Kishan will miss the third T20I as he has not yet recovered from his injury. Uncapped player Kumar Kushagra will remain in the squad as a backup.