Vaibhav Sooryavanshi batted at No. 3 for the first time in his international career during the second T20I between India and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 24, 2026. The 15-year-old, born March 27, 2011, was included in the playing XI as a replacement for the injured Ishan Kishan, and the team management slotted him one position lower than his familiar opening berth.
Sooryavanshi's stay at the crease lasted just eight deliveries. He managed only four runs before being dismissed by Nathan Smith, caught at cover, leaving questions about whether the No. 3 slot is the right fit for him at this stage of his career.
The move came in the context of India's strong start to the series. In the first T20I at the same venue on October 23, 2026, India registered a record 226-run chase against New Zealand, with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson putting together a 93-run partnership inside the powerplay. The team management could have been reluctant to break up that successful opening combination, which is likely why Sooryavanshi was pushed down to No. 3 rather than opening alongside Abhishek.
Why was Sooryavanshi moved to No. 3?
The 93-run powerplay stand between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson in the first T20I appears to be the central reason behind the decision to slot Sooryavanshi at No. 3. With that opening pair delivering a match-winning platform, the team management chose not to disturb the combination and instead accommodated Sooryavanshi lower in the order after Kishan's injury forced a change to the XI.
It is worth noting that the last time Samson, Abhishek and Sooryavanshi all featured in the same playing XI was during the Asian Games 2026. On that occasion, Sooryavanshi opened alongside Abhishek while Samson occupied the No. 3 slot, with VVS Laxman serving as the stand-in head coach for that campaign. The current arrangement under the team's regime represents a clear departure from that earlier batting structure.
Should Sooryavanshi continue at No. 3 going forward?
Samson is well suited to the No. 3 role. The wicketkeeper-batter has spent a significant portion of his IPL career, particularly with Rajasthan Royals, batting in that position and has the experience to rotate strike or attack according to match situations. His years of international cricket give him the adaptability that the No. 3 slot demands.
Sooryavanshi, on the other hand, has shown his best output when operating at the top of the order, which is familiar territory for him. He was the Player of the Series on the T20I tour of Zimbabwe.
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When Sooryavanshi is in form, his ball-striking ability can shift a game within a few overs. That quality is best utilised at the top of the order rather than at No. 3, where a batter often needs to read the situation left by the openers before committing to a tempo. As Sooryavanshi plays more cricket at the highest level, he will add more dimensions to his game, but for now his most productive role remains as an opener.
