Former India top‑order batsman Subramaniam Badrinath has publicly suggested that India should recall spinner Varun Chakaravarthy for the third Twenty20 International (T20I) against New Zealand, rather than continue with teenage middle‑order option Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the No. 3 position. Badrinath made the case in a YouTube interview on his channel “Cric it with Badri”, arguing that a specialist bowler would better serve the side as it seeks to clinch the series in Wellington.
Series context and recent performances
India entered the third match with a 2‑0 lead in the three‑game series after winning the first two encounters in New Zealand. The hosts have won 18 of the 21 T20Is they have played against New Zealand this decade, a record that includes the World Cup final victory in March. The second T20I, played in Wellington, saw New Zealand post 181 runs, a target India chased successfully, thereby extending their series advantage.
In the first two matches New Zealand’s totals were 220 and 180 respectively. Badrinath noted that those scores might have been lower – perhaps 200 and 160 – if India had fielded a bowler of Chakaravarthy’s calibre instead of the current lineup.
Sooryavanshi’s brief return and its impact
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was drafted into the side for the second T20I after opening batsman Ishan Kishan was ruled out with an injury. The young player, who had missed India’s previous six T20Is, was placed at No. 3, a role that is unfamiliar to him. In that innings he managed four runs off eight balls, a modest contribution that Badrinath described as a struggle in an unfamiliar position.
Despite the limited personal output, Sooryavanshi’s inclusion did provide depth to the batting order, extending India’s line‑up to the No. 8 position. The depth proved useful as the team chased down the 181‑run target, reinforcing India’s grip on the series.
Calls for a specialist bowler and preservation of the opening pair
Badrinath argued that India would benefit more from adding a specialist bowler, particularly given the lower order’s recent contributions with the bat. He specifically mentioned Varun Chakaravarthy, who has been out of action for India since suffering an abdominal side strain during the previous month’s T20I series against Afghanistan.
In the same interview, Badrinath questioned the notion of moving Sanju Samson from his opening slot to accommodate Sooryavanshi. While acknowledging Sooryavanshi’s success as an opener at the domestic level, Badrinath stressed that Samson is “doing brilliantly as an opener” for the Rajasthan Royals and that it would be “unfair” to ask Samson to sacrifice his opening spot for the teenager. He emphasized that the position is more important than the individual player and that he would not disrupt Samson’s role.
“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. Though Samson has done well for Rajasthan Royals at No. 3, I think Sooryavanshi needs to wait. The position is more important than the player. I definitely will not disrupt Sanju Samson,” Badrinath said.
Looking ahead to Wellington
India travels to Wellington for the third T20I with the opportunity to seal the series. The venue’s conditions, including wind factors, could pose a different challenge, and India’s bowling and performance against spin remain identified as areas for improvement. Bowling coach Morne Morkel has indicated that the team’s performances are expected to keep progressing as the tour advances.
A win in the third match would not only secure a 3‑0 series sweep but also provide an early reward for India’s strong start to the tour. Whether the team will heed Badrinath’s suggestion and bring Chakaravarthy back into the XI, or persist with Sooryavanshi at No. 3, will be decided by the team management ahead of the final encounter.
The debate highlights the broader strategic choices facing India: balancing batting depth with bowling potency, preserving the form of established openers, and managing the development of emerging talent. As the series draws to a close, the decisions made in Wellington will shape both the immediate outcome and the longer‑term composition of India’s T20 side.
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