Sports · Cricket · 5 hrs ago
India weigh Sooryavanshi's place ahead of T20I decider against West Indies
India and the West Indies meet in the fifth T20I in Bengaluru, with the series tied 2-2.
India lost the fourth match by 24 runs in Hyderabad, making Saturday's game the decider.
Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar wants 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to play only as an opener, not in a different batting position.
He says India should avoid changing the batting order and consider adjustments in the bowling attack instead.
India’s current openers, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, have both made important runs during the series, so replacing either would disrupt a working combination.
Sooryavanshi has played eight T20Is and scored 246 runs, including two half-centuries, but has been on the bench during this series.
A predicted India lineup leaves him out and includes Kuldeep Yadav, whose return could strengthen the bowling; the team’s final selection will decide whether Sooryavanshi gets another chance.
India are weighing whether to give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a place in the fifth T20I against West Indies, with the series tied 2-2.
Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar wants to see the 15-year-old play, but says India should not disrupt its batting order to include him.
Nayar says Sooryavanshi should play only as an opener, and recommends making changes in the bowling department instead.
News18’s probable XI leaves Sooryavanshi out and includes Kuldeep Yadav, while noting that both current openers have scored runs.
The decider is scheduled for Saturday at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, after India lost the fourth T20I by 24 runs in Hyderabad.
- Who
- India are considering whether to select Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the fifth T20I against West Indies.
- What
- The teams meet in the series decider, tied 2-2.
- When
- Saturday. The articles were published on October 16, 2026.
- Where
- M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
- Why
- India must decide whether to change its batting combination to include Sooryavanshi, while also considering changes to its bowling.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sooryavanshi made his senior India debut against England in Manchester, scoring 14 off 10 balls.
He scored 151 runs in India’s T20I series in Zimbabwe and was named Player of the Series.
India lost to West Indies by 24 runs in Hyderabad.
India are scheduled to play West Indies in the fifth T20I at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- Series score
- Tied 2-2
- Sooryavanshi’s age
- 15
- Sooryavanshi’s T20I record
- 246 runs in eight matches
- Zimbabwe series
- 151 runs; named Player of the Series
- Kuldeep Yadav’s Bengaluru record
- Nine wickets in six matches, at an average of 19.44 and an economy rate of 7.29
3 sources
What people are saying
If Vaibhav Suryavanshi plays, he should play at his strongest position, which is opening
I would make changes in bowling and not at all in batting
the more time he spends in this environment with the quality players, the more time he trains at this standard will only be great for his cricket