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Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has praised head coach Gautam Gambhir and the Indian team management for promoting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to open the batting in the third T20I against New Zealand. Chopra believes the 15-year-old should be allowed to bat in his preferred position rather than being burdened with additional pressure in international cricket.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi responded with an explosive 45 off 19 balls in Wellington on October 27, helping India chase down New Zealand's target of 199 in just 13.2 overs. His performance came after a change in his batting position, with the youngster opening alongside Abhishek Sharma in the absence of Ishan Kishan.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Promoted to Open After Batting at No. 3
India retained Sooryavanshi for the third T20I despite his modest contribution in the previous match. In the second T20I, he batted at No. 3 but managed only four runs, leaving the team management to reconsider his position in the batting order.
With Ishan Kishan also unavailable for the third match, India moved Sooryavanshi to the top of the order, where he partnered Abhishek Sharma. The decision paid off immediately as the pair added 133 runs off just 43 balls, putting India in control of the chase.
Abhishek Sharma led the charge with 113 off 38 deliveries, while Sooryavanshi contributed 45 off 19 balls, striking four boundaries and four sixes. Their aggressive start laid the foundation for India's six-wicket victory with 40 balls remaining.
A 15-Year-Old Kid Should Only Be Given That Much Pressure to Handle - Aakash Chopra
Speaking to Cricinfo, Chopra credited the team management for making room for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as an opener, even if it meant adjusting the positions of more experienced batters. He said the pressure of international cricket was already significant for a player of the teenager's age.
“I personally felt, because I was advocating that if you're going to play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, you must make a place for him as an opener. Obviously while playing international cricket, you don't want to talk about age, but he's 15. A 15-year-old kid should only be given that much pressure to handle. International cricket is already a lot of pressure,” Chopra said.
He added that established players should be the ones to accommodate the youngster rather than asking him to adapt to an unfamiliar role.
“So if anybody has to move around in the batting order, it should be the other people. I mean, it should be Abhishek, Sanju Samson, or Ishan Kishan, or whoever else. If I'm going to play a 15-year-old kid at this level, I will give him the spot that he's most comfortable at, and that is opening for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi,” he added.
What Happens When Ishan Kishan Comes In? - Aakash Chopra
While Aakash Chopra believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should continue opening, he acknowledged that India's batting order could face a selection dilemma when Kishan returns. Sanju Samson occupied the No. 3 position in the third T20I, but Kishan has also performed well in that role.
Aakash Chopra said the team would eventually need to decide how to accommodate its available batters without moving Sooryavanshi away from the top of the order.
“So I think this is where he belongs. Yes, it's going to be a tough call. Who bats at three? What happens when Ishan Kishan comes in? Okay, that's a discussion for another day. But Vaibhav, whenever he plays, he must open," Aakash Chopra said.
