India's 40-day tour of New Zealand will kick off on Thursday, October 22, and the five-match T20I series is expected to create huge controversy over the team's opening combination. With several young talents threatening to push their way into the starting XI, India's management is in a dilemma over the crucial selection decision ahead of the series opener.

The biggest question arises here: whether India will opt to blood teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on the difficult pitches of New Zealand or stick to the experienced opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has now opened up on the team's approach towards the high-profile issue by voicing his support towards the two openers while giving the assurance that the teenager will get his chance in the future.

Shreyas Iyer backs Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as openers; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has to wait

Speaking ahead of the five-match series, Iyer said Sooryavanshi would not walk into the playing XI, given the consistency of India's opening pair. He also said it was important to ensure the young batter is comfortable inside the dressing room while he waits.

“It's important that a talent like him (Sooryavanshi) should always be happy around the dressing room.”

“He is very young; he has more years to get opportunities. It's not like he can walk in right now, because our openers are scoring consistently, and they have won the World Cup.”

Sooryavanshi has played eight of India's 21 T20Is since getting a call-up to play the tours of England and Ireland earlier this year. However, Samson and Abhishek have continued to feature at the top of the order, both playing key roles in India's successful defense of their T20I World Cup title earlier this year.

The team management has also tried to experiment with the batting order to accommodate the teenager. At the Asian Games, Samson moved down to No. 3 to allow Sooryavanshi to open with Abhishek. This allowed the youngster an opportunity to show his aggressive approach at the top.

New Zealand tour expected to benefit Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Although Sooryavanshi might have to wait before he can get a regular place in the playing XI, Iyer believes the New Zealand tour will give the teen a chance to get exposed to overseas conditions. He said that playing on different pitches and in different conditions as a young player could help him to be better prepared for future international assignments.

“So, if you see, when he is coming overseas, he will get a fair idea of ​​how to play on these particular wickets.”

“Next time, whenever he comes in these conditions, he will be very well-prepared. And he can also instruct the other team members, whoever comes here for the first time.”

New Zealand's pitches are expected to present a different challenge to India's batters, making the tour an important learning experience for the young opener. The conditions could help Sooryavanshi to develop a better understanding of how to adapt his aggressive batting style to different surfaces and bowling attacks.

For now, India appear inclined to stick with the opening combination of Samson and Abhishek, given their recent performances and contribution to the team's World Cup success. Sooryavanshi's wait for a regular spot could continue, but the 40-day tour offers him a chance to gain experience and strengthen his case for a bigger role in India's future plans.