Abhishek Nayar urges selectors to open with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in final T20I
Abhishek Nayar pushes for Sooryavanshi to open; India weigh changes for series decider.
Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar wants Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opening the batting in the deciding T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru. The 15-year-old left-hander hasn't played in the first four matches, and Nayar thinks his natural position at the top would let India make the most of his aggressive style.
India have stuck with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as openers so far. Samson struck a half-century in the fourth T20I, but the side still fell short by 24 runs in Hyderabad.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been added to the squad after Arshdeep Singh picked up a shoulder injury. A call on Arshdeep's availability will come closer to the game.
CricHubb Take
Nayar's push now sets up a quiet test for the selectors: if they pick Sooryavanshi for the decider, they're choosing to blood a 15-year-old in a must-win rather than wait for the next series.