Sooryavanshi struggles at No. 3 in India's T20I win over New Zealand

India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20 International at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 25, 2026, chasing a target of 180 runs. However, the match was marked by debate over the batting order of teenage debutant Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who replaced injured Ishan Kishan in the playing XI.

Sooryavanshi, batting at No. 3—an unfamiliar position for the young opener—scored only four runs off eight balls before being dismissed in the sixth over. The placement prompted criticism from former India cricketers during post-match discussions. Ravichandran Ashwin described Sooryavanshi as "a fish out of water," noting that the sixth over was not suited to the teenager's style of play and that he lacked the composure needed to settle into the middle order. Ashwin suggested that a senior batter at the crease should have offered guidance, encouraging Sooryavanshi to watch the ball more carefully and play closer to his body.

Murali Kartik, another former cricketer, questioned why Sooryavanshi was not sent to open the innings instead, given that he has played only as an opener in the IPL and for the national team. Kartik argued that experienced players like Sanju Samson should adapt their positions to accommodate younger talent. Ashwin suggested that if India wanted to field all three—Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, and Samson—together, Samson should move to No. 3, a position he has batted before for India, allowing Sooryavanshi to open.

Despite Sooryavanshi's failure, India secured victory through contributions from its middle order. Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, while Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy provided quick runs in the final overs. Ashwin praised the middle and lower-middle order, describing them as "dangerous" and highlighting their ability to hit both pace and spin bowling. India now leads the five-match series 2-0.