Sports · Cricket · 11 hrs ago
Karthik says India can rest Abhishek to bring Sooryavanshi back
India has already secured its T20I series against New Zealand, but one match remains.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was left out of the fourth match after Ishan Kishan recovered from injury and returned to the team.
The 15-year-old had scored 45 runs off 19 balls in the previous game, helping India win.
India then lost the fourth match by 87 runs, and the team must now decide its lineup for the final T20I.
Former India player Dinesh Karthik says Abhishek Sharma should get a break, rather than Sanju Samson being dropped again, if Sooryavanshi is to play.
Samson scored a match-winning 67 earlier in the series, and Karthik wants him kept in the lineup.
India are weighing changes to their top order as Ishan Kishan returns from injury and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s place comes under question.
Sooryavanshi was left out of the fourth T20I against New Zealand after Kishan returned to the side.
The teenager had scored 45 off 19 balls in the third match, which India won while chasing 199.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said Samson should open if Kishan is available, while Dinesh Karthik suggested resting Abhishek Sharma to make room for Sooryavanshi.
New Zealand won the fourth T20I by 87 runs, leaving India to consider their combination for the fifth and final match.
- Who
- India’s team management is considering options involving Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
- What
- India are weighing top-order changes as Kishan returns from injury and Sooryavanshi’s place is debated.
- When
- Ahead of the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand, after the fourth match on Friday.
- Where
- The T20I series is being played in New Zealand.
- Why
- Kishan’s recovery has opened a selection question, while Sooryavanshi impressed in the third match and Samson has also been considered for the top order.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Dinesh Karthik
Selection if Kishan is available
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin said Sooryavanshi should make way and Samson should return to the opening slot.
Dinesh Karthik
Karthik said India should rest Abhishek Sharma rather than drop Samson if they want to bring Sooryavanshi back.
Sooryavanshi scored 45 off 19 balls as India chased 199 and won.
Kishan returned to batting in the nets while recovering from a groin injury.
Kishan returned to the XI, Sooryavanshi was left out and New Zealand won by 87 runs.
Karthik and Ashwin offered different views on how India should fit Sooryavanshi into the top order.
- Series position
- India had an unassailable 3-0 lead before the fourth T20I.
- Sooryavanshi’s third-match score
- 45 off 19 balls
- Fourth T20I result
- New Zealand won by 87 runs.
- Kishan’s injury
- Low-grade right adductor strain.
- Next match
- Fifth and final T20I against New Zealand
4 sources
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What people are saying
If they want to play Vaibhav, it has got to be in place of Abhishek, to give him a break, and that is how it should be.
However, tomorrow if Ishan Kishan is going to come back, I think Vaibhav heads out and Sanju slots right back into the slot he deserves
I really hope that the young boy gets that breathing space.
He is very young; he has more years to get opportunities.