Wellington: India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made the most of his return to the opening position in the third T20I against New Zealand, scoring a blistering 45 off 19 balls as India secured a six-wicket victory at Hnry Stadium on Tuesday. Former India batter Sadagopan Ramesh described the decision to restore Sooryavanshi to his preferred position as a “chocolate” from head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management.

Sooryavanshi’s aggressive start, combined with Abhishek Sharma’s spectacular century, helped India chase down New Zealand’s target of 199 in just 13.2 overs. The victory gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series, with two matches remaining.

Why Sooryavanshi received a ‘chocolate’

Sooryavanshi had been moved to No. 3 in the second T20I against New Zealand. Batting in that position, the young left-hander managed only four runs off eight deliveries as India adjusted its batting order.

For the third match, the team management returned him to his familiar opening slot. Ramesh felt that the move gave the teenager the freedom to express himself and attack the opposition from the beginning of the innings.

Speaking about the decision, the former India batter compared the opportunity to receiving a chocolate and being free of worries. He said Sooryavanshi batted with the freedom of a young boy looking forward to a Friday evening with the next two days off.

The remark highlighted the importance of a batter’s preferred position and mindset in the shortest format. For an aggressive opener such as Sooryavanshi, facing the new ball provides an opportunity to dictate the tempo rather than having to adjust to a different role in the middle order.

The decision proved productive almost immediately, as the 15-year-old took on New Zealand’s bowlers and gave India a flying start in the chase.

Sooryavanshi and Abhishek dismantle New Zealand

Sooryavanshi struck four sixes and four fours during his 19-ball innings, recording a strike rate of 236.84. His fearless approach complemented Abhishek Sharma’s power-hitting as the opening pair put New Zealand’s bowling attack under sustained pressure.

Abhishek was the dominant scorer, hammering 113 runs off only 38 balls. His innings featured 11 sixes and nine fours, and he completed his century in just 35 deliveries.

The two left-handers added 133 runs for the opening wicket in approximately seven overs, turning what appeared to be a challenging target into a one-sided chase. Their partnership left New Zealand with few opportunities to slow the scoring rate or build pressure through wickets.

India’s explosive powerplay produced 118 runs without losing a wicket, setting a new record for the highest powerplay total in men’s T20I cricket. The opening stand also underlined the effectiveness of India’s attacking approach, with both batters repeatedly finding the boundary.

Sooryavanshi eventually departed after making 45, but the damage had already been done. Abhishek continued his assault before being dismissed for 113, while India completed the chase at 199/4 in 13.2 overs.

Sadagopan Ramesh praises Abhishek Sharma

Ramesh also reserved high praise for Abhishek, whose innings proved decisive in India’s record-breaking chase. The former opener described the left-hander as a batter whose reputation alone could make bowlers wary.

He was particularly impressed by the speed of the 133-run opening partnership, pointing out that scoring at such a rate over seven overs was an extraordinary achievement. Ramesh used a Diwali fireworks comparison to describe the pair’s boundary-hitting, especially Abhishek’s six-hitting display.

Abhishek’s performance was central to India’s successful pursuit of 199. His ability to score rapidly against different types of bowling allowed India to maintain a scoring rate that New Zealand could not match.

India captain Shreyas Iyer also praised the opening pair after the match, describing their batting as “absolutely stunning”. He said the strokes played by the two youngsters were pleasing to watch and admitted that he wondered how they had managed to score so freely when the ball was seaming during his own time at the crease.

India seal the series with two matches left

The six-wicket victory in Wellington confirmed India’s series triumph, giving the visitors a 3-0 lead in the five-match contest. India had already won the first T20I by four wickets and the second by four wickets before producing an even more emphatic performance in the third match.

For Sooryavanshi, the innings offered a timely reminder of his potential and the value of deploying him in a role suited to his attacking style. For the team management, the successful opening combination provided another example of how an effective batting order can maximise the strengths of individual players.

India will now prepare for the fourth T20I in Auckland on October 30, followed by the final match in Hamilton on November 1. With the series already secured, the remaining games will offer the team further opportunities to test its combinations and maintain its momentum ahead of the subsequent stages of the New Zealand tour.