Ashwin urges patience with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as India weigh batting order for next T20I

Summary

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has asked fans and pundits to give teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi time to develop, and he hinted that Sanju Samson should reopen the opening slot if wicket‑keeper Ishan Kishan returns for the upcoming T20I against New Zealand.

Key points

• Sooryavanshi’s impact – In the third T20I, the 15‑year‑old smashed 45 off 19 balls, helping India chase 199 with 6.4 overs to spare and sharing a 133‑run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma.
• Ashwin’s advice – The senior spinner praised Sooryavanshi’s fearless IPL performances but warned against “burdening” the youngster with premature expectations.
• Batting‑order dilemma – With Kishan’s injury opening a spot, Samson moved to No 3 for the second match. Ashwin believes Samson’s experience makes him the preferred opener if Kishan is fit for the next game, pushing Sooryavanshi back down the order.
• Future outlook – Ashwin sees Sooryavanshi as a potential “poster boy” of Indian cricket but stresses the need for “breathing space” and enjoyment of the game.

Direct quotes

• *“The way Vaibhav Sooryavanshi just took off was something that he has done all IPL. He is and will always be a very special player.”* – Ravichandran Ashwin, on SonyLiv.
• *“If Ishan Kishan is going to come back, I think Vaibhav heads out and Sanju slots right back into the slot he deserves.”* – Ashwin.

Practical implications

• Selection – Team management will likely keep Samson at No 1 if Kishan is cleared, allowing Sooryavanshi to continue at No 3 or lower, preserving his development trajectory.
• Verification – The statements were made during the post‑match interview on SonyLiv after the third T20I (India vs New Zealand, 23 Oct 2024, GMT+5:30). Official team sheets for the next fixture will confirm the final order.

What to watch

• Kishan’s fitness update ahead of the fourth T20I.
• Whether India retains the Sooryavanshi‑Sharma opening partnership or reverts to Samson‑Sharma.
• Ashwin’s role in the dressing‑room, as his comments may influence selection decisions.

--- *All information is drawn from the Times of India report dated 23 Oct 2024. No new quotes or statistics have been added.*