Gautam Gambhir And Co Questioned Over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's No. 3 Role: "Where Is He At His Best?"

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi played at the No. 3 spot while Sanju Samson opened in the 3rd T20I© BCCI/Creimas

India's teenage batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, looked completely out of place batting at the No. 3 position in the second T20I against New Zealand on Sunday. Sooryavanshi, who was benched for the entire T20I series against the West Indies and also in the series opener against the Kiwis, replaced the injured Ishan Kishan at Christchurch. However, he could only score four runs off eight balls. Former India spinner Murali Kartik refused to blame the 15-year-old for the below-par performance, saying the management should have had Sanju Samson bat at the No. 3 spot instead.

Kartik, analysing the game during the post-match show on the Sony Sports Network, said that Samson, as a senior player in the team, should have taken on the No. 3 role. For Sooryavanshi, who is currently only 15, a batting position other than opening should not even be considered.

"I was repeatedly saying this, even before the match started, especially before our batting, when you are playing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, where is he at his best? He is good as an opener. You have put him in the middle order. He has not played there, he is a young kid, and he has only batted in one way. This is exactly why you have experienced players, so they can play different roles. In my opinion today, although they won the match, which is a different matter, if you are playing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, he should have opened today."

Murali Kartik makes his case on Extraaa Innings, backing the young talent to bat at the top while experienced players like Sanju Samson adapt to different roles in the batting order! Watch the HERO VIDA India Tour of New Zealand, 3rd T20I on 27th Oct, 11:30 AM onwards, LIVE on Sony Sports Network TV channels, Sony LIV & Sony Vizha. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #SonyVizha #NZvIND

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) October 24, 2026

At present, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are the two designated openers in India's T20I team. However, Kartik feels Abhishek cannot be asked to play the No. 3 role as he and Sooryavanshi have similar profiles. Their style of play suits opening the most, whereas Samson is much more versatile.

"Because Abhishek Sharma plays similarly, and you have Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who is also a similar player. Sanju Samson is a player who is a banker for you. He can play in different positions. I agree he might be out of position, and people might ask why him, but sometimes when you are a senior and experienced player, you have to take on these roles. This is especially true when you have selected Vaibhav Sooryavanshi," he explained.

Kartik even said that if Sooryavanshi was to be played in the middle order, the management should have picked Shivam Dube as Ishan Kishan's replacement instead. Such a move would have made more sense for a vacant spot in the middle order.

"If Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was not playing today, that would be a different matter. Then Shivam Dube could have also played if they wanted someone to handle the middle order. So, I think it is about getting the best work out of everyone, and in that regard, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should have opened," he concluded.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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