Spin veteran Ravichandran Ashwin voiced concern over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s placement at the No 3 slot in India’s second Twenty‑20 International against New Zealand in Christchurch. The 19‑year‑old, who was drafted into the playing eleven as a replacement for the injured Ishan Kishan, managed only four runs from eight deliveries after arriving at the crease in the sixth over.
Unfamiliar role and a brief cameo
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened the innings for India, leaving Sooryavanshi to navigate a position he has not previously occupied at the international level. Ashwin described the youngster’s effort as a “miss” but cautioned against a harsh verdict, noting that for a young cricketer the term may be premature. “He just found himself a little like a fish out of water,” Ashwin said, adding that Sooryavanshi “kept going hard for the eight balls” but failed to time the ball properly.
The spin bowler emphasized that the teenage batter would have benefited from guidance from a senior partner at the crease. “You need a senior partner to walk down and say, ‘Calm down, just hang in there, look to play close to your body, watch the ball better.'” Ashwin explained that such advice could have helped Sooryavanshi settle into the unfamiliar role, especially after walking in during the sixth over, which he described as “not his cup of tea.”
Ashwin’s suggested reshuffle and middle‑order praise
When asked whether India should retain Sooryavanshi at No 3, Ashwin suggested a possible reshuffle. He noted that the combination of Samson and Abhishek Sharma could be retained, but Samson might need to shift down the order to the No 3 position – a role he has previously performed for the national side. “If they are going to go with this combination, I am not too sure Vaibhav has got to bat at number three,” Ashwin said, adding that the innings was a miss for the teenager.
Beyond Sooryavanshi’s cameo, Ashwin offered high praise for India’s middle order, highlighting the contributions of Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ramandeep Singh in chasing New Zealand’s target of 180. He described the trio occupying the six, seven and eight positions as “dangerous” and capable of striking the ball hard.
Specifically, Ashwin lauded Ramandeep Singh as a “very good hitter of pace bowling” who can also dominate spin. He referenced Singh’s ability to “club” the deliveries of New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner, calling the feat “no joke” and a testament to the batter’s skill and temperament. Ashwin also praised Varma’s composure, saying he “echoes great temperament.” While he expressed uncertainty about Nitish Kumar Reddy’s temperament, he acknowledged the power the lower middle order brings, noting that “there is enough power for teams to be concerned about.”
Implications for future line‑ups
Ashwin’s comments come as India looks to fine‑tune its batting order ahead of the remainder of the series. The spin maestro’s suggestion to move Samson to No 3, while retaining Abhishek Sharma at the top, could provide a more experienced anchor for the early middle overs. Such a change would also allow Sooryavanshi to return to a role more aligned with his skill set, potentially at a later position where he can bat with a senior partner.
By highlighting the need for mentorship at the crease, Ashwin underscored a broader strategic point: young talent thrives when paired with seasoned players who can offer real‑time guidance. The spin bowler’s appraisal of the middle order’s power and temperament suggests confidence in the depth of India’s batting pool, even as the team evaluates the optimal placement for its emerging stars.
As the series progresses, the Indian management will have to weigh Ashwin’s observations against performance data and team balance. Whether Sooryavanshi will be given another opportunity at No 3, shifted down the order, or kept in reserve remains to be seen, but the spin veteran’s candid assessment adds a noteworthy perspective to the ongoing tactical debate.
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