New Delhi: Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar expressed a strong desire to see young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi feature in the upcoming fifth T20I against West Indies, though he cautioned against altering the batting lineup just to fit the teenager into the XI. With the five-match series tied at 2-2, Nayar argued that any adjustments for the series decider should be focused on the bowling attack rather than shuffling the top of the order.
India are set to meet West Indies for the deciding fixture at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, following a 24-run defeat in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad. Discussing the lineup on JioHotstar, Nayar emphasized that Sooryavanshi should only enter the team if deployed in his usual role as an opener, preserving the stability of the positions for other batters.
The debate over Sooryavanshi's inclusion stems from the fluctuating form of India's current opening combination, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. While both players have recorded notable innings during the series—including a blistering 82 from Samson in Ranchi and a strong 69 from Abhishek in Indore—their quieter outings have kept speculation alive regarding the young left-hander's potential return.
Sooryavanshi is already an established presence at the international level rather than an untried prospect. The 15-year-old debuted against England in July, later starring on the tour of Zimbabwe where he captured the Player of the Series award after accumulating 151 runs, which included a brilliant 81 off 49 deliveries. Across eight T20Is, he has amassed 246 runs at a striking rate of 186.36, featuring two half-centuries. Despite these credentials, he has spent the current series on the bench as the team management backed Abhishek and Samson.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel recently highlighted the developmental benefits of Sooryavanshi remaining around the senior squad, noting that observing elite preparations and training standards will aid his long-term growth. Meanwhile, head coach Gautam Gambhir has acknowledged the challenge of dropping proven performers to accommodate the young attacker, noting that selection choices focus strictly on the optimal team combination for victory.
Beyond the batting discussions, India's bowling attack remains under scrutiny after West Indies posted a commanding 247 for three in the fourth match. As the squad finalizes preparations for Saturday's crucial clash in Bengaluru, leadership must decide whether to retain their trusted opening pair or hand the teenager another opportunity to shine on the international stage.