‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should have opened’: Former India cricketer slams management’s decision to send teenager at third

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (BCCI Photo) Former India spinner Murali Kartik criticized the team management for sending 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to bat at No.3 in the second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday.Sooryavanshi, who replaced the injured Ishan Kishan, scored just four runs off eight balls in an unfamiliar position.Although India won the match, Kartik believes the management could have handled the batting order better. He feels that Sooryavanshi is most effective as an opener and that veteran batsman Sanju Samson should have taken the responsibility of batting at No.3.“I said it repeatedly, even before the start of the match, especially before our batting, when you play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, where does he do best? He’s good as an opener. You put him in the middle order. He hasn’t played there, he’s a young lad and he’s only batted one way. That’s exactly why you have experienced players, although I think they can play different games if you play different roles. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is playing, he should have opened today,” said Kartik.

Why Kartik wanted Samson at No.3

Kartik explained that Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma have similar attacking styles that suit the opening position.Moving either player down the order could affect their natural approach, while Samson has the experience and flexibility to bat in a variety of positions.“Because Abhishek Sharma plays similar and you have Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who is also a similar player. Sanju Samson is a player who is a banker for you. He can play in different positions. I agree he can be out of position and people may ask why him but sometimes when you are an older and experienced player you have to take those roles,” Vahavory explained, especially when you have picked.

Kartik questions the choice of replacement in India

Kartik also suggested that India could have considered Shivam Dube instead of Sooryavanshi if the team needed someone to strengthen the middle order after Kishan’s injury.“If Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hadn’t played today, it would have been a different matter. Then Shivam Dube could have played too if they wanted someone to look after the middle order. So I think it’s about getting the best work out of everyone and in that respect he should have opened Vaibhav Sooryavanshi,” he concluded.Karthik’s main argument is that India should use Sooryavanshi where he does best, rather than asking a young batsman to adapt to an unfamiliar role. He believes Samson’s experience made him a better choice at No.3 even though India ended up winning the match.