In New Delhi on October 31, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra raised concerns regarding the exclusion of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from the playing XI for the fourth T20I against New Zealand, following the return of Ishan Kishan.
Chopra emphasized that Sooryavanshi should not be viewed merely as a substitute for injured players. He recommended that if Sooryavanshi is not expected to receive consistent playing time, he should consider returning to domestic cricket, especially first-class matches, to enhance his skills and gain more experience at the crease.
Chopra Critiques Team Strategy
Sooryavanshi had participated in the second and third T20Is against New Zealand while Kishan was sidelined due to injury, scoring 4 and 45 runs in those matches before being left out for the fourth game. Chopra noted, “In the last match, Abhishek scored a century while Vaibhav narrowly missed a half-century. The batting performance was commendable. The dilemma arose regarding who would be dropped if Kishan returned. Philosophically, it seems logical to drop Sooryavanshi since he was a replacement for the injured player. However, this match was inconsequential.”
Need for Clear Communication
Chopra further questioned the rationale behind Sooryavanshi’s selection, asking, “Will he only play when someone is injured or unavailable? If that’s the case, it might be better for him to return home and focus on first-class cricket. While he can learn from being in the Indian dressing room, if this situation persists, he needs to be actively playing.”
Call for Transparency in Team Plans
Chopra urged the team management to provide clarity regarding their long-term plans for Sooryavanshi, expressing his disappointment over the lack of communication about the player’s role. He stated, “The team should openly discuss their roadmap and philosophy. Perhaps they have a plan in place but haven’t shared it with anyone. Consequently, we are left uncertain about Sooryavanshi’s future with the team, and his absence is somewhat disappointing.”
Kishan’s Return to the Team
In the match, Kishan had a challenging comeback, getting out for a duck as India attempted to chase a daunting target of 260 runs, ultimately finishing at 172/9.