Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth reckons India’s team management will be better off not playing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in one-off matches. Sooryavanshi was part of India’s playing XI for the second T20I against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Saturday after Ishan Kishan was ruled out with a groin niggle.
However, Sooryavanshi struggled to get going while batting at one drop. The youngster could only manage four runs off eight balls and was also dropped once.
Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “I feel for him as he looked unsure. India has to be patient with Vaibhav Suryavanshi. If you ask me, it’s better off not playing Suryavanshi than giving him one chance at No.3. He won’t play if Ishan Kishan is back anyway next match. For that, it would have been better if he didn’t play at all. It would have been better if India played Shivam Dube instead in a one-off match.”
He added, “It’s also a learning curve for him on what international cricket is. He has to wait and realize it’s all about handling pressure in international cricket. Going forward, it’ll only be a mental game for him. His problem now is that he has no idea which match he’ll play and when he won’t. He’ll play one match, and if he fails, he’ll be made to wait. That’s why he had his mind in two places while batting today. He also has to learn to change his temperament and adjust.”
On the other hand, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had another tough outing as he conceded 50 runs in his quota of four overs and took one wicket. The 1983 World Cup-winning player, Srikkanth, urged the team’s think tank to be patient with the veteran seamer.
“He (Bhuvneshwar) has no rhythm at all. It’ll take him two or three more games to come into his own. I hope the management remains patient with him. He’s playing after four years, so that rustiness is showing. Also, he must be under pressure too. Though New Zealand has smashed him in both matches, I’ll still back him and be patient,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
The third T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday.
Image credits: Kai Schwoerer/ Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
