Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath has suggested that India bring Varun Chakaravarthy back into the playing XI for the third T20I against New Zealand, rather than continue with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at No. 3. India can seal the series with a win in Wellington on Tuesday after taking a 2-0 lead in the first two matches.Sooryavanshi was brought into the side for the second T20I after Ishan Kishan was ruled out with an injury. However, the youngster struggled in an unfamiliar position, scoring just four off eight deliveries at No. 3. His inclusion did give India batting depth until No. 8, and the hosts successfully chased down 181 to strengthen their grip on the series.Badrinath believes India could benefit more from adding another specialist bowler, particularly with the lower order contributing with the bat.“Instead of playing Sooryavanshi at No.3, India can play Varun Chakaravarthy in the 11. The players down the order are doing well now. So, why not go for a bowler like Varun? New Zealand’s scores of 220 and 180 could have been 200 and 160 in the first two games,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel, Cric it with Badri.Varun has been out of action for India since suffering an abdominal side strain during last month’s T20I series against Afghanistan. Sooryavanshi, meanwhile, had missed India’s previous six T20Is before returning for the second match against New Zealand, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma preferred at the top of the order.
‘It’s unfair to Sanju Samson if he has to sacrifice his opening spot’
Badrinath also questioned the idea of moving Samson away from his preferred opening position to accommodate Sooryavanshi at the top. While the teenager has made his mark as an opener, the former India batter feels Samson’s current form should take precedence.“It’s unfair to Sanju Samson if he has to sacrifice his opening spot for Sooryavanshi. Yes, Sooryavanshi has thrived only as an opener, but Samson is doing brilliantly as an opener. Though Samson has done well for Rajasthan Royals at No.3, I think Sooryavanshi needs to wait. The position is more important than the player. I definitely will not disrupt Sanju Samson,” said Badrinath.India head to Wellington with an opportunity to wrap up the series, having won 18 of their 21 T20Is against New Zealand this decade, including the World Cup final in March. The conditions at the venue could present a different challenge, with the wind among the factors India will need to manage.India’s bowling and their batting against spin remain areas to improve, with bowling coach Morne Morkel expecting the team’s performances to keep progressing. A victory in the third T20I would secure the series and give India an early reward for their strong start to the tour.