Photo via The Times of India

'Sooryavanshi should've opened': Ex-India cricketer slams decision to send him at No. 3

Murali Kartik has questioned the team management's tactical approach during the second T20I against New Zealand. Despite India securing a victory, the former spinner argued that 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was misused by being slotted into the number three position.

Sooryavanshi, who stepped in for the injured Ishan Kishan, managed only four runs from eight deliveries in that role. Kartik suggested that the teenager is better suited to opening the batting, a position he believes should have been occupied by the youngster while veteran Sanju Samson took on the responsibility of the middle order.

The former cricketer noted that Samson possesses the necessary experience to adapt to different batting slots, whereas forcing a young player into an unfamiliar position is counterproductive. Kartik further suggested that if the team required additional stability in the middle, they could have opted for Shivam Dube instead of including Sooryavanshi in the lineup.

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