Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Sooryavanshi likely to open for India in second T20I against New Zealand
India lead New Zealand 1-0 in a five-match T20 series after chasing down 226 in the first match.
The teams meet for the second game in Christchurch on Saturday.
Fifteen-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is expected to return to India's side, with one report saying he is likely to open the batting.
He has made 246 runs in eight T20 internationals, and India may look to his attacking style to keep up their scoring.
But India's bowlers struggled in the opener, and the team has concerns about its backup bowling options.
New Zealand's openers attacked early, while Glenn Phillips scored 82 from 40 balls.
India will try to strengthen their bowling as they aim to extend their lead in the series.
India named Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in its playing XI for the second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch.
India won the toss and chose to bowl.
India entered the match leading the five-match series 1-0 after chasing 226 in the first T20I.
Sooryavanshi, 15, was expected to add firepower to India’s batting, with another batting-friendly pitch anticipated.
India’s bowling attack had struggled in the series opener, and its fifth and sixth bowling options remained a concern.
- Who
- India and New Zealand, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi included in India’s playing XI.
- What
- The teams played the second T20I of a five-match series; India won the toss and chose to bowl.
- When
- Saturday, October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Why
- India aimed to build on its 1-0 series lead; the sources do not state a specific reason for Sooryavanshi’s selection.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
India chased 226 to win and took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
India Today reported that Sooryavanshi was set to return for the second T20I.
India won the toss and chose to bowl in the second T20I, with Sooryavanshi in the playing XI.
- Series score before second T20I
- India led 1-0 in a five-match series
- India’s first-match chase
- 226 runs
- Sooryavanshi’s age
- 15
- Sooryavanshi’s T20I record
- 246 runs in eight matches; average 30.75; strike rate 186.36
- Second T20I venue
- Christchurch, New Zealand
11 sources
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Included In India's Playing XI vs New Zealand But Gets New Batting Position
IND vs NZ: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in playing XI, but there's a twist
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in as India choose to chase in Christchurch
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi back in India's XI, but in new batting role
India vs New Zealand, 2nd T20I LIVE score: IND opts to bowl; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in playing XI
New Zealand v India - second T20 scorecard
What people are saying
I was walking down the river yesterday, and a few Kiwi fans asked me, 'Is the 15-year-old kid playing tomorrow?'. He's warmed the bench long enough; you don't wanna lose his form.
He is very talented and has a bright, bright future ahead. He will learn a lot of things once he starts playing. But, initially, I felt there was a lot of hype about (his spot in 11).
I genuinely felt it is not good for the player also. For a young 15-16 years old boy, everyone is saying that he should play and he is not getting the space. He is too young.