‘Very tempted to play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’: Former India coach’s big call to decide series

India’s Ishan Kishan, right, Shivam Dube, second right, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, third right, and others during the warm-up (PTI Photo) India will take on the West Indies in the fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru on Saturday, with the series level at 2-2. Ahead of the decider, former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has backed Sanju Samson to carry his confidence from the previous match into the series finale, while considering the inclusion of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the playing XI.Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Game Plan’, Nayar praised Samson’s approach in the fourth T20I and said the wicket-keeper batsman seems to be back in his groove and could play a crucial role if he spends more time at the crease.

“Dangerous Sanju was back in his groove”

Nayar felt Samson’s start in the fourth T20I was particularly encouraging, with the batter looking composed and in control of the crease.“It was a very good strategic call at the start, Sanju Samson attacked. Then as he batted, he felt like he was preparing for a big one because he was in control. His base was good along with control and his head was steady. I felt the dangerous Sanju was back in his rhythm in the last game. He will take that confidence into this Indian batting team and I feel much better about this Indian batting team.” in form, it’s just a matter of them delivering together,” said Nayar.India failed to convert a promising start into a win, but Nayar believes Samson’s innings offered a boost to the series decider. He also pointed out that while Abhishek Sharma was not at his best, Samson stepped in to give India the impetus they needed.“Yes, Abhishek Sharma wasn’t at his best but Sanju Samson took over. That start, even though India didn’t get that result, is priceless because you could have come close. So you want to take that confidence forward and say if Sanju can bat a few more overs, then in the next game India will sit pretty and make sure they win the series.”

Nayar is tempted by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi but prefers bowling changes

With the series on the line, India might consider changes to their playing XI. However, Nayar believes the team management faces a tough decision, especially if they are considering bringing in 15-year-old Sooryavanshi.The youngster’s inclusion would raise questions about the batting order as Nayar feels Sooryavanshi should be used as an opener rather than being asked to bat outside his strongest position.“I think India is in a Catch-22 situation. I will punt and try to go the Kuldeep Yadav route. So I can replace Naman Dhir with Kuldeep Yadav and get Nitish and Axar up one spot. Axar Patel also played the role of a swimmer really well for Team India when he was sent out,” he said.Nayar admitted that he would like Sooryavanshi to appear in Bengaluru, given the conditions at the venue. However, he stressed that picking the youngster would require a reshuffle at the top of the order, which could affect the roles of other batsmen.“I am very tempted to play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. But are you going to play him out of position? If Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is playing, then he is playing in his strongest position, which is opening. And if he is opening, then whoever is number three should also play in his strongest position. As much as it may tempt me to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in such good conditions, even Ben Soory will make changes in such good conditions. in bowling, in batting at all no,” added Nayar.His preferred option is to bolster the bowling attack by bringing in Kuldeep Yadav, potentially at the expense of Naman Dhir, while Nitish Reddy and Axar Patel move up one position. This proposal would allow India to make a tactical adjustment without disrupting the existing batting combination.India, will have to assess the availability of Arshdeep Singh, who suffered a blow to his left shoulder during the fourth T20I in Hyderabad. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been added to the squad, with a decision on his participation to be taken before the match based on his recovery.With the series tied, India will be looking for a 3-2 win at home, while West Indies have an opportunity to clinch the series win in India.