'Not his cup of tea...': R Ashwin questions Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s No. 3 role

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the decision to send Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at No.3 in the second T20I against New Zealand, suggesting that the young batter was uncomfortable in the unfamiliar role. Ashwin said the team management should consider making Sanju Samson bat at No.3 if India want to accommodate all three batters in the playing XI.

Sooryavanshi got an opportunity in the second T20I in Christchurch after wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was ruled out due to injury. However, the teenager managed just four runs off eight balls before getting dis missed, as India chased a target of 181 runs.

Speaking to the broadcaster after the match, Ashwin described Sooryavanshi’s outing as a miss but cautioned against judging the youngster too harshly. "For a young cricketer like Vaibhav, 'miss' is too early I think to say, but because I have only two options of a hit or a miss, he just found himself a little like a fish out of water," Ashwin said.

R Ashwin suggests change in India’s batting order

Ashwin felt Sooryavanshi needed time to settle into the innings and could have benefited from guidance from an experienced batter at the other end. He noted that the youngster continued to play aggressively despite struggling to find his timing.

According to Ashwin, walking in to bat during the sixth over was not an ideal situation for Sooryavanshi, who is more accustomed to playing at the top of the order. "Walking in during the sixth over is not his cup of tea," Ashwin said.

The former India spinner also suggested that if the team management wants to play Sooryavanshi alongside Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, Samson could move down to No. 3, as he has done previously for India. "I'm not too sure Vaibhav has got to bat at number three, but it is what it is. Today it was a miss for Vaibhav," Ashwin added.

Ashwin praises India’s middle order

While Ashwin raised concerns about Sooryavanshi’s batting position, he praised India’s middle and lower-middle order for stepping up during the chase against New Zealand.

India were in trouble at 70/5 before Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy produced unbeaten knocks to guide the team to a four-wicket victory with one ball remaining. Tilak scored 51 off 26 balls, while Nitish made 26 off 13 deliveries. Ramandeep Singh also contributed with a quickfire 18 off six balls.

Ashwin highlighted the power in India’s batting line-up, particularly the contributions from positions six, seven and eight. He also praised Ramandeep’s ability to attack both pace and spin, while noting Tilak’s composure under pressure.

India’s victory gave them a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, with the team looking to build on the performance in the remaining matches.