R Ashwin's Blunt Take On How Gautam Gambhir, Shreyas Iyer View Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: "It's Very Clear"

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showed exactly what he is capable of during India's win over New Zealand in the third T20I in Wellington. Given a chance to open, Sooryavanshi smashed 45 off just 19 balls, stitching a breathtaking 43-ball 133-run partnership with Abhishek Sharma. The 15-year-old's excellent performance is sure to give captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir a headache as to who to drop when Ishan Kishan returns to full fitness. However, legendary India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin gave a blunt take on this debate.

Ashwin suggested that there is no need for the public to create unnecessary confusion, and stated that when everyone is fit, Sooryavanshi is not first-choice for India in T20Is.

"We are creating confusion without reason. It is very clear - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not the first choice pick in the XI. Sanju (Samson) and Abhishek will be at the top," Ashwin said, speaking on his own YouTube channel.

Touching on the top-order dilemma, Ashwin praised the team management's decision to open with Sooryavanshi and use Samson as No. 3 in Kishan's absence.

"I really like what Gautam and Shreyas did in this game. For a particular game, you need to pick the right order with the XI you have. Till Ishan is not there, your best option is Samson for the No. 3 role. He has that experience. Till Ishan comes back, this is the right option," Ashwin said.

Sooryavanshi and Abhishek's stunning opening partnership laid the platform for India to chase down a target of 199 with nearly seven overs to spare in the third T20I. The result saw India achieve an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, with two games still to go.

Should Ishan Kishan return for the fourth T20I, however, Sooryavanshi is likely to go back to the bench, with Gambhir and Shreyas preferring Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as India's first-choice opening pair in the format.

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