‘It’s not easy to leave the batting position’: Abhishek Sharma welcomes Sanju Samson’s sacrifice for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma In a team where individual milestones often command attention, Sanju Samson chose to put the team before himself. Fresh off a match-winning 61, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman relinquished his opening slot to teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the third T20I against New Zealand, a selfless call that earned him lavish praise from opening partner Abhishek Sharma after India’s six-wicket victory.Abhishek led the Indian charge with a breathtaking 38-ball 113, while Sooryavanshi made the most of his promotion with a blistering 45 off just 19 deliveries. The duo put together a mammoth 133-run partnership in seven overs, putting India firmly in control of the chase.Sooryavanshi was promoted to open after batting at No.3 in the previous match. The teenager initially came into the side following Ishan Kishan’s groin injury, but it was Samson’s decision to vacate his starting position that allowed the youngster to move up the order.Samson enjoyed a productive outing in the second T20I, winning the Player of the Match award for his 61. Despite this performance, he stepped aside to give Sooryavanshi an opportunity at the top and earn recognition from his opening partner.“The way Sanju bhai batted in the last match, it is not easy to leave his familiar batting position. It showed his character, someone goes to his position. We can see in the team that everyone is selfless, everyone is happy for everyone, which is the hallmark of a great team,” Abhishek Sooryavanshi said in an interview mediated by BCCI.TV.

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Abhishek, Sooryavanshi propel India to emphatic win

India beat New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20I on Tuesday to take an elusive 3-0 lead in the five-match series.New Zealand bat first at 198/3 and Daryl Mitchell tops the order with an unbeaten 89 off 52 balls. Finn Allen contributed 40 as the Indian bowlers pulled things back towards the end to keep the hosts below 200.In reply, Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking performance as he smashed 113 off just 38 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes. He reached his century in 35 deliveries and shared 133 runs in an opening partnership with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 45 off 19 balls.India raced to 118 for no loss in the Powerplay before completing the chase in 13.2 overs with 40 balls to spare. An emphatic win sealed the series for India with two matches to spare.