Is Vaibhav Suryavanshi Dropped For IND vs NZ 4th T20I? Explained

India have made two changes to their playing XI for the fourth T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, October 30. With the five-match series already secured, the visitors have an opportunity to experiment with their combinations.

The spotlight was once again on the young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, however skipper Shreyas Iyer informed at the toss that the 15-year-old batter won't be playing in the IND vs NZ 4th T20I at Auckland.

Is Vaibhav Suryavanshi Dropped For 4th T20I?

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made way for Ishan Kishan, whose return from injury has provided India to play a renowned top-order batter. Kishan missed the second and third T20Is after sustaining a low-grade right adductor strain during the series opener.

Suryavanshi, meanwhile, had mixed fortunes in his two appearances. He managed just 4 runs in the second T20I but bounced back impressively in Wellington, smashing 45 off 19 deliveries in the third match. His explosive knock, featuring four boundaries and four sixes, helped India make a flying start in their chase of 199.

The youngster's omission is therefore primarily a result of Kishan's return and India's selection combination rather than his performance in the previous match. This didn't go down well with the fans who wondered why Vaibhav Suryavanshi is not playing today. The 15-year-old has a massive fan following even at such a young age.

With the series already decided, India have also given Mayank Yadav another chance who has replaced Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who made an international return during the start of this series.

Is It Unfair To Vaibhav Suryavanshi?

Vaibhav Suryavanshi's omission from India's playing XI might feel harsh, especially after his impressive performance in Wellington. However, the decision appears to be more about team combination than his form.

The presence of India openers for NZ vs IND 4th T20I, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, makes it difficult to accommodate Suryavanshi, who is already one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. With Ishan Kishan recovering from his groin injury, the youngster received an opportunity. Kishan's return has now pushed him out.

While Suryavanshi could feel unfortunate, India's decision is understandable. However, after his promising showing, the youngster deserves a longer run and clarity over his role rather than sporadic opportunities.