The stage is set for a blockbuster finish to the IND vs WI T20I series, and the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium could light up if young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets an opportunity and he gets going.
Given the kind of two losses in this against the West Indies, where India were out-sixed by the visitors, experts have suggested bringing in the six-hitting machine, the teenage sensation, Sooryavanshi, who not long ago broke Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes in a single IPL season.
Sooryavanshi, who featured in the Asian Games, where Sanju Samson was pushed to No. 3, has been on the bench in the IND vs WI T20I series. With Samson smashing two half-centuries in four innings and batting at a strike rate of close to 200, Sooryavanshi’s chances of featuring in the side are slim.
However, he is a thorough match-winner, a kind of opener who can make a match-winning contribution in the powerplay itself.
IND vs WI: Should Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Play In The 5th T20I?
Former India opener Abhinav Mukund, who is now an expert for Cricinfo, is “extremely tempted” to play Sooryavanshi but understands that playing the 15-year-old at the top of the order would mean pushing everyone in the batting department one slot down.
“This is the only thing that I am extremely tempted about. If you are getting out-hit by a side, there is a guy who is threatening to hit 9, 10 sixes in an innings. And, he is sitting on the bench. I know he is a young man and probably not as experienced in international cricket, But I’d be tempted to give the boy a go because it actually changes the mood within the dressing room also,” Mukund told Cricinfo.
“But, it’s also a risk because every other batter starts batting out of position. Sanju Samson then comes in at three and then Ishan comes in later. And then you don’t know who to fit. Who would you play him in place of? These are questions that are going to be a very difficult one to answer if you fit in Vaibhav into that side.”
Meanwhile, India have added Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the squad for the 5th T20I in Bengaluru as Arshdeep Singh is injured. Arshdeep sustained a blow on his left shoulder while batting during the 4th T20I.
Bhuvneshwar, who was slated to make his India comeback with the upcoming New Zealand tour, is expected to walk into the side in place of Arshdeep. India might also include Kuldeep Yadav in the XI after benching him for the last two games.
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