2nd T20I: Sooryavanshi fails to fire after rousing welcome from fans in Christchurch

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s long-awaited return to India’s T20I XI did not go as planned, with the 15-year-old failing to light up Christchurch on Saturday. The left-handed batsman, ranked at No. 3, was dismissed for four off eight deliveries as his first appearance in the five-match series ended in disappointment.

NZ vs IND, 2nd T20I: Scorecard

Sooryavanshi received a rousing welcome from the fans at Hagley Oval, many of whom came to catch a glimpse of the teenage sensation in action. However, elation soon gave way to disappointment as the youngster struggled to find his rhythm during India’s chase of 181.

The left-hander’s stay ended when he attempted to smash a departing delivery from fast bowler Nathan Smith over the covers. Daryl Mitchell, positioned in the field, took a sharp catch and sent him back to the pavilion. Sooryavanshi looked gutted as he left, with reactions from the stands reflecting the fans’ disappointment.

India retained Sanja Samson and Abhishek Sharma as their opening pair, pushing Sooryavanshi to the third position. He came on after Samson departed during the over, but looked uncomfortable against New Zealand’s bowling attack.

In the powerhouse final, the teenager had a reprieve against the extraordinary Michael Bracewell. He tried to hit the ball over the offside, headed it to the point where Bevon Jacobs lost sight of the ball and made no attempt to make the catch. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner was visibly unfazed by the missed opportunity.

However, the reprieve did not change Sooryavanshi’s fortunes. He was dismissed in the very next over, failing to capitalize on his second chance as Smith found the edge and Mitchell completed the catch.

WHY SOORYAVANSHI WAS SITTING

Sooryavanshi’s short trip to Christchurch came after weeks of chatter about India’s decision to sideline the 15-year-old despite his growing reputation. The teenager has not played a T20I since the Asian Games, where he scored 53 runs in two matches as India won the gold.

India continued to back Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as their opening combination during the subsequent five-match T20I series against the West Indies. Sooryavanshi was part of the squad but did not get a match, even as questions mounted as to when the teenage sensation would get his chance.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has already made India’s position clearsaid the youngster would have to wait his turn given the performances of the established openers.

After the West Indies series ended 2–2, Iyer echoed the message, he said he told Sooryavanshi to stick to his processes and be patient.

The opportunity finally came in Christchurch after Ishan Kishan suffered a right adductor strain in the opening series against New Zealand. Kishan was ruled out of the second T20I, opening a place for Sooryavanshi in the playing XI. However, rather than opening, the teenager was asked to bat at No. 3, behind Samson and Abhishek.

His four-round tournament was not the comeback he or the fans had hoped for, but the selection debate was always about finding room for a terrific young talent in the established Ut for 1 if New Zealand were better on the field. Sooryavanshi tried to smash the spin through the offside but got an edge that flew straight to the fielder. However, Bevon Jacobs, who was coming into the position, lost sight of the ball and did not even try to catch it, receiving a negative reaction from captain Mitchell Santner.

The green color did not pass him as Sooryavanshi was dismissed in the very next over.

– The end