India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (AP/PTI)
- 8, and the hosts successfully chased down 181 to strengthen their grip on the series. “Instead of playing Sooryavanshi at No.3, India can play Varun Chakaravarthy in the 11. New Zealand’s scores of 220 and 180 could have been 200 and 160 in the first two games,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel, Cric it with Badri. India head to Wellington with an opportunity to wrap up the series, having won 18 of their 21 T20Is against New Zealand this decade, including the World Cup final in March.
Sooryavanshi was brought into the side for the second T20I after Ishan Kishan was ruled out with an injury. However, the youngster struggled in an unfamiliar position, scoring just four off eight deliveries at No. His inclusion did give India batting depth until No. The players down the order are doing well now. So, why not go for a bowler like Varun? Varun has been out of action for India since suffering an abdominal side strain during last month’s T20I series against Afghanistan. Sooryavanshi, meanwhile, had missed India’s previous six T20Is before returning for the second match against New Zealand, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma preferred at the top of the order. The conditions at the venue could present a different challenge, with the wind among the factors India will need to manage.
Though Samson has done well for Rajasthan Royals at No.3, I think Sooryavanshi needs to wait.
I definitely will not disrupt Sanju Samson,” said Badrinath. “It’s unfair to Sanju Samson if he has to sacrifice his opening spot for Sooryavanshi. Yes, Sooryavanshi has thrived only as an opener, but Samson is doing brilliantly as an opener. The position is more important than the player. India’s bowling and their batting against spin remain areas to improve, with bowling coach Morne Morkel expecting the team’s performances to keep progressing. A victory in the third T20I would secure the series and give India an early reward for their strong start to the tour.