Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s presence puts Sanju Samson under pressure ahead of 2nd T20I

Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Ranchi: Nearly four years after his last international appearance at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium, Ishan Kishan returns to familiar territory on Friday when India take on the West Indies in the second T20I, carrying the form and confidence of a player who has fought his way back into the Indian team.Ishan’s last international game here came in January 2023, when India lost a T20I to New Zealand. Much has changed since then. He subsequently lost his place in the India set-up, was dropped from the BCCI central contract list and then embarked on a comeback that has eventually seen him become an integral part of the national side.

Now, with good form behind him and his home crowd in front of him, Ishan has a chance to turn his long-awaited return to Ranchi into a memorable one.

He will be keen to make his own contribution as India look to take a 2-0 lead in the series.India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said the change of venue would not alter the team’s philosophy.“The way we are approaching the game, with a fearless approach and putting the team first, that’s the same way we will go,” Kotak said ahead of the game here on Thursday.Yet, Ranchi could demand a little more adaptability than the opening game did.

Though Kotak said “the pitch looked a good batting track” on the eve of the match, the venue has not traditionally been a high-scoring T20 ground. In the four T20Is played here, the 200-run mark has never been breached, with India’s 196/6 against Sri Lanka in 2016 remaining the highest score. New Zealand have also successfully defended 176 at the venue.Rain and cool, cloudy conditions could add another variable, while dew may become important later in the evening.

With temperatures expected to hover between 22°C and 24°C during match time, India could have to balance their attack carefully, particularly if they end up bowling second.That brings another selection question. Mayank Yadav was expensive in the opening game, leaving India to consider whether to persist with the express quick or bring fit-again Prince Yadav into the attack. They also have considerable spin depth, with Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi and debutant Naman Dhir among the options.

But if dew sets in, India’s spinners could find their task considerably harder.There is also a growing selection subplot in the batting department. The presence of teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has increased the pressure on Sanju Samson, who has struggled for runs in his last four T20Is, scoring 11, 2, 7 and 9. With the teenager waiting in the wings, another low score could make the competition for the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter’s spot more interesting.West Indies bowling coach Ravi Rampaul, meanwhile, admitted that his young attack, with most of its members having fewer than 15 or 20 T20I appearances, failed to execute its plans consistently enough.