India have achieved what many Indian cricket fans might have thought unlikely before the series: a T20I series victory in New Zealand, with two matches still remaining. A 5-0 sweep is now a distinct possibility, especially after the manner in which the Black Caps were dismantled in Wellington.
But with the series already secured, the focus shifts to selection. Will the team management stick with its winning combination, or use the remaining games to experiment?
The biggest question concerns Ishan Kishan’s return. Having missed the previous two matches, Kishan is expected to be available again. Does that automatically mean Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have to make way?
The teenager smashed 45 off just 18 balls in Wellington, demonstrating his ability to make an immediate impact at the top of the order. Dropping him after such an innings would be a harsh call, particularly when he has done precisely what a young player fighting for a place should do.
However, both the captain and the coaching staff have indicated that Sooryavanshi is a backup option. That makes Kishan’s return a selection headache, even if the youngster has strengthened his case with his recent performance.
There are other questions to address. With India leading 3-0, could one of the two spinners who have been waiting for an opportunity finally get a game? The remaining matches offer an ideal chance to test the squad’s depth.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s place also deserves scrutiny. The 36-year-old has taken just one wicket in three matches and has conceded runs at an economy rate of 11.58, the highest among India’s bowlers. With the series won, this could be the right moment to give Mayank Yadav an opportunity.
My preference would be to keep Kishan on the bench for now and give Sooryavanshi another match. Mayank should replace Bhuvneshwar, while either Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakravarthy should come in for Axar Patel.
India have already won the series. Now is the time to test alternatives and give players opportunities. A 5-0 sweep would be fantastic, but using these matches wisely could prove even more valuable in the long run.
