Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised concerns about the team management's decision to bat teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at No. 3 in the second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch, arguing that the unfamiliar position prevented the youngster from playing his natural, aggressive game. Ashwin suggested that Sanju Samson should occupy that slot if the team intends to field all three batters in the same playing XI.

How Sooryavanshi Came Into the XI

Sooryavanshi made his first appearance in the series after Ishan Kishan was ruled out with an injury. Stepping in at No. 3, the teenager managed only 4 runs off 8 deliveries, with Samson and Abhishek Sharma retaining their positions at the top of the order. The young batter entered during the sixth over — a phase and position that Ashwin said does not suit his batting profile.

Ashwin's Assessment: 'Fish Out of Water'

Speaking on his YouTube channel during a post-match discussion, Ashwin was measured in his critique, acknowledging it was too early to call the innings a definitive 'miss' but identifying the positional mismatch as the core problem.

'That is a miss. For a young cricketer like Vaibhav, 'miss' is too early, I think, to say, but because I have only two options of a hit or a miss, he just found himself a little like a fish out of water. He kept going hard, kept going hard for the eight balls,' Ashwin said.

The former spinner noted that Sooryavanshi appeared to never time the ball cleanly and highlighted the absence of a senior partner to offer guidance at the crease. 'It did not feel like he was ever timing the ball, and that is when you need a senior partner to walk down to him and say, 'Calm down, just hang in there, look to play close to your body, watch the ball better.' Walking in during the sixth over is not his cup of tea,' he added.

Ashwin's Solution: Move Samson to No. 3

Ashwin pointed out that India had previously used this combination with Samson dropping to No. 3, freeing Sooryavanshi to bat in a position better matched to his strengths. 'Look, I think they played this combination before, and Sanju had to skip down to number three. If they are going to go with this combination, I am not too sure Vaibhav has got to bat at number three, but it is what it is. Today it was a miss for Vaibhav,' he stated.

Middle Order Draws Praise

Despite Sooryavanshi's difficult outing, India successfully chased down New Zealand's total of 180, with the middle and lower-middle order providing substantial encouragement. Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Naman Dhir all made meaningful contributions to the chase.

Ashwin was particularly effusive about the depth on display. 'India's middle order is coming through nicely. That is six, seven, and eight. It looks pretty dangerous. Naman Dhir is a very good hitter of pace bowling. He is showing that he can really club spinners as well. To stand and hit a spinner of Mitchell Santner's pedigree is no joke,' he said. He added that Tilak Varma was 'echoing great temperament', while reserving judgement on Nitish Kumar Reddy's temperament, noting there was 'enough power for teams to be concerned about.'

What It Means for the Remaining Matches

With three matches remaining in the five-match T20I series, India's team management faces a selection puzzle at the top of the order. How they deploy Sooryavanshi going forward — and whether Samson is asked once again to drop to No. 3 — could prove a defining tactical question as both sides look to gain the upper hand in the series.