Ajinkya Rahane hails Team India’s move to send Vaibhav Sooryavanshi back as opener

Ajinkya Rahane backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s return to the opening role

Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has praised the Indian team management for promoting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi back to the top of the order in the third T20I against New Zealand. The 15-year-old had batted at No. 3 in the previous match, but was restored as an opener alongside Abhishek Sharma for the third game of the five-match series.

The change proved effective. India chased down New Zealand’s target of 199 with six wickets in hand and 40 balls to spare, powered by a rapid opening partnership between Sooryavanshi and Abhishek. Their stand of 133 gave the visitors control of the chase early and left the middle order with a manageable task.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rahane said the promotion was a sensible decision because Sooryavanshi is a naturally aggressive batter who appears most comfortable taking on the new ball. The former India captain also noted that the teenager is still learning how to adapt to different positions and situations in international cricket.

India’s opening pair sets the tone in the 199-run chase

India needed a strong start to pursue a target of 199, and the opening pair delivered. Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma attacked from the outset, putting pressure on New Zealand’s bowlers and keeping the required run rate under control. Their 133-run partnership turned a potentially challenging chase into a commanding one.

Sooryavanshi fell just five runs short of a half-century, but his contribution was significant. He showed intent from the first ball, finding the boundary and forcing the fielding side to respond. Abhishek continued the assault at the other end, ensuring India maintained momentum throughout the opening phase.

The result was a convincing six-wicket victory, achieved with 40 deliveries remaining. Beyond the scoreline, the match offered a useful indication of how India might deploy Sooryavanshi in the series: as an attacking option at the top, where he can make the most of the fielding restrictions and set the pace for the innings.

Why Rahane believes opening suits Sooryavanshi

Rahane explained that asking Sooryavanshi to bat at No. 3 in the second T20I was a new challenge for a young player who had not previously occupied that position. While adapting to different roles can be valuable, Rahane felt the team made a sound call by allowing the teenager to return to a spot that better matches his instincts.

“Sanju was sent in at No. 3, while Vaibhav was promoted to open the innings, which I think was a sensible call by the team management,” Rahane said. He added that Sooryavanshi is in good form and is the kind of batter who likes to get involved early, attack the bowlers and take control of the innings.

That approach can be particularly useful in T20 cricket, where the first six overs provide an opportunity to score quickly before the field spreads. An opener with Sooryavanshi’s confidence can put immediate pressure on the opposition, though the role also requires sound judgement about when to attack and when to preserve a wicket.

Rahane stressed that the teenager will develop as he gains experience. Batting at different positions may become part of that growth, but the former batter said it was important that Sooryavanshi had the opportunity to play in a role he enjoys. Giving a young player a clear, familiar assignment can help build confidence while allowing coaches to assess how his style fits the team’s plans.

Team balance could change when Ishan Kishan returns

India’s batting order may not remain unchanged throughout the series. Ishan Kishan missed the second and third T20Is, and his return could prompt the management to reconsider the opening combination. Rahane suggested that Sanju Samson might open again once Kishan is available, depending on the team’s preferred balance and the roles assigned to its batters.

That uncertainty makes Sooryavanshi’s opportunity especially valuable. His performance at the top gave the team another option and demonstrated that he can contribute in a high-pressure run chase. Whether he continues to open or moves elsewhere in the order, exposure to different match situations should help him understand how to pace an innings and respond to changing demands.

For the management, the decision is not only about finding a place for one promising batter. It is also about building a flexible batting line-up that can adapt to opposition match-ups, player availability and conditions. A successful partnership at the top does not automatically settle the order, but it gives selectors and coaches encouraging evidence to consider.

Rahane impressed by the teenager’s confidence and intent

Rahane said he enjoyed watching Sooryavanshi bat and was particularly impressed by the confidence he showed from the first delivery. The teenager’s early attacking stroke over mid-on, in Rahane’s view, reflected both his intent and his trust in his ability.

“The best thing was the intent he showed on the very first ball,” Rahane said, describing the shot as a sign of the youngster’s self-belief. He also praised the management for giving Sooryavanshi the chance to bat in a position where he could express himself.

Confidence is valuable for any batter, but it must be matched by consistency and the ability to adjust. Sooryavanshi’s innings was brief of a half-century, yet the opening partnership and India’s emphatic chase showed the impact he can have when he starts quickly. His next challenge will be to build on that promise against different bowling plans and match conditions.

What the result means for India’s T20I plans

India’s dominant win strengthened the case for an aggressive approach at the top of the order, while also highlighting the importance of giving emerging players meaningful opportunities. Sooryavanshi’s promotion worked in the third T20I, but future selections will depend on team balance, availability and how the management wants to structure the batting line-up.

Any prediction about his long-term role should therefore remain measured. One successful innings does not guarantee a permanent opening spot, particularly with established players competing for places. Still, the performance offered an encouraging glimpse of his potential and gave India another option in a format where fast starts can shape the entire contest.

Rahane’s assessment was clear: Sooryavanshi is young, talented and still learning, but his natural attacking approach makes the opening position a sensible place to give him opportunities. India’s third T20I victory provided a compelling example of what that role can produce when the teenager finds his rhythm alongside an equally aggressive partner.