Aakash Chopra thanks Gautam Gambhir for backing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as opener vs NZ

Aakash Chopra backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as India’s T20I opener after New Zealand blitz

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has praised head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management for promoting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to the opening position in the third T20I against New Zealand. The 15-year-old made an immediate impact, smashing 45 runs from just 19 balls as India chased down a target of 199 in Wellington on October 27.

For Chopra, the decision was about more than finding a quick-scoring batter at the top. He believes a young player making his way in international cricket should be given a role that suits his natural game, rather than being asked to shoulder the extra challenge of an unfamiliar position. His prediction is clear: whenever Sooryavanshi is selected, India should give him the chance to open.

Sooryavanshi’s promotion transforms India’s chase

Sooryavanshi had batted at No. 3 in the second T20I, scoring four runs. India retained him for the next match, but with Ishan Kishan unavailable, the team reshaped its top order and paired the teenager with Abhishek Sharma at the start of the innings.

The change proved decisive. The opening pair added 133 runs from only 43 deliveries, putting India firmly in control of a demanding chase. Abhishek produced the headline innings, scoring 113 from 38 balls, while Sooryavanshi supplied a rapid 45. He struck four fours and four sixes, using his aggressive approach to keep the required rate from becoming a concern.

India reached the target in 13.2 overs, winning by six wickets with 40 balls to spare. The result was a powerful example of how a bold batting-order adjustment can change the momentum of a T20 match. Rather than asking Sooryavanshi to recover from a quiet outing at No. 3, the team placed him in the role where he could attack from the opening overs.

Chopra says the teenager should be allowed to play his natural game

Speaking to Cricinfo, Chopra said he had wanted India to give Sooryavanshi an opening role if the youngster was going to feature in the side. While age is not usually a factor once a player enters international cricket, Chopra argued that the demands of the level are already substantial for a 15-year-old.

“A 15-year-old kid should only be given that much pressure to handle. International cricket is already a lot of pressure,” Chopra said, explaining why he believes India should avoid adding unnecessary adjustments to Sooryavanshi’s responsibilities.

Chopra’s view is that experienced batters should be the ones to adapt around a promising newcomer. If the team wants Sooryavanshi in its T20I plans, he argued, India should make room for him at the top rather than moving him around the order to accommodate senior players.

That approach could help the young batter focus on his strengths: taking on the new ball, looking for scoring opportunities early and putting pressure on the opposition’s bowlers. Opening also gives a player a clearer role, which can be valuable for a teenager adjusting to the pace and scrutiny of international cricket.

India’s top-order puzzle when Ishan Kishan returns

Sooryavanshi’s success at the top also raises a selection question for India. Kishan was unavailable for the third T20I, while Sanju Samson occupied the No. 3 position. If Kishan returns, the management will need to decide how to fit its available batters into the XI without disrupting the teenager’s preferred role.

Chopra acknowledged that the decision could be difficult, particularly with several players capable of contributing in the top order. He pointed to the need for India to settle who bats at No. 3 and how Kishan’s return would affect the balance of the lineup. But he did not see those questions as a reason to shift Sooryavanshi away from opening.

“What happens when Ishan Kishan comes in? That’s a discussion for another day. But Vaibhav, whenever he plays, he must open,” Chopra said.

Why the decision matters for India’s T20 plans

India’s approach reflects a wider challenge in T20 cricket: balancing flexibility with role clarity. Teams often move batters around to match a particular opponent or make space for a returning player. That versatility can be useful, but frequent changes may also make it harder for younger players to build confidence and understand what is expected of them.

Sooryavanshi’s innings offers an early indication of what he can bring as an opener. His 19-ball contribution was not simply a supporting effort in a chase led by Abhishek. It helped India maintain extraordinary scoring momentum, and the partnership gave the middle order a relatively straightforward task.

One performance does not settle India’s long-term batting order, especially with competition for places in the squad. Still, it gives the management a strong case to consider when deciding how to use the teenager in future matches. If Sooryavanshi continues to open, India will be able to assess his progress in a consistent role rather than judging him across unfamiliar positions.

A promising start, with decisions still to come

For now, Chopra’s message is straightforward: protect Sooryavanshi from avoidable pressure and let him bat where he feels most comfortable. India’s rapid chase in Wellington suggests the promotion worked, although the team will face a more complicated selection conversation once Kishan is available again.

The next step will be turning one explosive innings into a sustained contribution at international level. That will require patience from the team and room for the teenager to learn. If India can provide that support while maintaining a settled role, Sooryavanshi’s opening partnership with Abhishek could become an intriguing feature of the side’s T20 plans.