Just two days after India captain Shreyas Iyer said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would have to bide his time to break into the Indian T20I team, the teenager could get a chance in the second T20I against New Zealand. Vaibhav, who has been sitting out of the playing XI due to a packed top order, is likely to replace Ishan Kishan in the line-up for the second match of the series.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak informed the press on Thursday, after the conclusion of the opening T20I in Christchurch, that Kishan had suffered a groin injury and was unlikely to take part in the next match at Hagley Oval.
Kishan, the team’s No. 3 batter in T20Is, was pushed down the order on Thursday, sparking speculation among fans. Initially, it appeared to be another experiment by the Indian team, with Tilak Varma returning to his original position at No. 3. Kishan eventually came out to bat at No. 5 after Varma’s dismissal but lasted just three balls. He attempted to hit a six off his third delivery but ended up skying the ball straight into the hands of Finn Allen.
The India batting coach later revealed that Kishan had been pushed down the order because of a groin niggle.
“Ishan Kishan has a groin niggle, that’s why Tilak Varma was promoted. Ishan is also unlikely to play in the second T20I. If Ishan doesn’t play, unless he recovers completely, which the medical team will advise, Vaibhav could definitely step in for him. He is one of the strongest contenders,” Sitanshu Kotak told the press.
VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI GETS LUCKY BREAK
The development could hand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a breakthrough opportunity after he was left out of the playing XI for the opening match. The teenager has not played a T20I since the Asian Games final in Nagoya. Vaibhav was asked to remain patient by captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir as questions around his exclusion grew louder in the media and cricketing circles.
“He is very young; he has more years to get opportunities. It’s not like he can walk in right now, because our openers are scoring consistently, and they have won the World Cup,” Iyer had told reporters before the first T20I.
“So, if you see, when he is coming overseas, he will get a fair idea how to play on these particular wickets. Next time, whenever he comes under these conditions, he will be very well prepared. And he can also instruct the other team members, whoever comes here for the first time,” he had added.
India will play the second T20I at Hagley Oval on October 24. The visitors have already taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after winning the opener by four wickets with two balls to spare.
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