Perfect pairing? Why India must stick with Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
toi
newspoint|29-10-2026
With the T20I series against New Zealand already sealed, the pressure on India to pick the safest XI might have eased. Maybe the team management can focus on a more important question: what should India’s batting order look like two years from now, when the 2028 T20 World Cup is held in Australia and New Zealand?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ’s explosive 45 off 19 balls in the third T20I in Wellington has added to India’s selection headache. It’s a happy problem. Handed an opportunity after Ishan Kishan’s injury, Sooryavanshi initially struggled at No. 3 in Christchurch as he batted outside the Powerplay. But when India pushed him up to open alongside Abhishek Sharma in Wellington, the 15-year-old was back at his belligerent best. He smashed the first ball to the boundary and never looked back.
While Abhishek’s century was the headline act, Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach set the tone. The pair raced to a stunning 133-run stand in just seven overs, blowing New Zealand away. The Abhishek-Sooryavanshi partnership also offered a glimpse into the mindset of a new generation of T20 batters, one that sees every ball as a scoring opportunity.
The innings also carried a significant subplot. To accommodate Sooryavanshi at the top, Sanju Samson willingly moved down to No. 3 despite enjoying tremendous success as opener. Since returning to the side midway through the T20 World Cup, Samson has formed one of India’s most productive opening partnerships alongside Abhishek. Together, they have scored 1,166 runs in 37 matches and become permanent fixtures at the top of the order.
Abhishek was quick to acknowledge the sacrifice. “The way Sanju bhai batted in the last game, it is not easy to let go of one’s familiar batting position. That showed his character. Someone’s going for his position but everyone is selfless and happy for each other, which is the hallmark of a great team,” he said in a BCCI video.
The comment revealed an increasingly important characteristic of this Indian side. Unlike previous eras where players were tied to specific positions, this Indian team, under coach Gautam Gambhir , appears willing to embrace flexibility if it benefits the larger cause.
That larger cause may now involve finding out just how good a Vaibhav-Abhishek opening pair can become. The youngster himself admitted that batting at No. 3 in Christchurch had forced him away from his natural game. “Last match, I went against my grain as to how I play in T20s. This game, I wanted to give a quick start so that it becomes easy,” Sooryavanshi said.
His Wellington knock backed up that assessment. As an opener, there was visible clarity in his approach. He did not have to assess conditions or pace an innings. It was just all out attack.
Abhishek, too, felt the impact from the other end. “When Vaibhav hit the first ball, he showed aggression. I saw that at the nonstriker’s end and when you see such a shot, you also feel pumped up. Special mention and credit to Vaibhav for how he played,” Abhishek said.
The challenge now is fitting everyone into the same side when India are back at full strength. Sooryavanshi’s emergence during IPL 2026 makes it increasingly difficult to keep him on the bench. Yet India already have established performers in Samson and Kishan.
However, the debate need not be framed as Vaibhav versus Sanju or Vaibhav versus Kishan. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has repeatedly maintained that only the top two batting positions are fixed and the rest of the order remains flexible. Kishan’s adaptability strengthens that approach.
His matchwinning 80 off 46 balls at No. 5 during the Asian Games semifinal vs Sri Lanka showed he can thrive even when he is kept away from the opening slot. It also provided a possible blueprint on how all four batters can feature in the playing XI.
With the series result already decided, India can afford to think beyond just the next game.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ’s explosive 45 off 19 balls in the third T20I in Wellington has added to India’s selection headache. It’s a happy problem. Handed an opportunity after Ishan Kishan’s injury, Sooryavanshi initially struggled at No. 3 in Christchurch as he batted outside the Powerplay. But when India pushed him up to open alongside Abhishek Sharma in Wellington, the 15-year-old was back at his belligerent best. He smashed the first ball to the boundary and never looked back.
While Abhishek’s century was the headline act, Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach set the tone. The pair raced to a stunning 133-run stand in just seven overs, blowing New Zealand away. The Abhishek-Sooryavanshi partnership also offered a glimpse into the mindset of a new generation of T20 batters, one that sees every ball as a scoring opportunity.
The innings also carried a significant subplot. To accommodate Sooryavanshi at the top, Sanju Samson willingly moved down to No. 3 despite enjoying tremendous success as opener. Since returning to the side midway through the T20 World Cup, Samson has formed one of India’s most productive opening partnerships alongside Abhishek. Together, they have scored 1,166 runs in 37 matches and become permanent fixtures at the top of the order.
Abhishek was quick to acknowledge the sacrifice. “The way Sanju bhai batted in the last game, it is not easy to let go of one’s familiar batting position. That showed his character. Someone’s going for his position but everyone is selfless and happy for each other, which is the hallmark of a great team,” he said in a BCCI video.
The comment revealed an increasingly important characteristic of this Indian side. Unlike previous eras where players were tied to specific positions, this Indian team, under coach Gautam Gambhir , appears willing to embrace flexibility if it benefits the larger cause.
That larger cause may now involve finding out just how good a Vaibhav-Abhishek opening pair can become. The youngster himself admitted that batting at No. 3 in Christchurch had forced him away from his natural game. “Last match, I went against my grain as to how I play in T20s. This game, I wanted to give a quick start so that it becomes easy,” Sooryavanshi said.
His Wellington knock backed up that assessment. As an opener, there was visible clarity in his approach. He did not have to assess conditions or pace an innings. It was just all out attack.
Abhishek, too, felt the impact from the other end. “When Vaibhav hit the first ball, he showed aggression. I saw that at the nonstriker’s end and when you see such a shot, you also feel pumped up. Special mention and credit to Vaibhav for how he played,” Abhishek said.
The challenge now is fitting everyone into the same side when India are back at full strength. Sooryavanshi’s emergence during IPL 2026 makes it increasingly difficult to keep him on the bench. Yet India already have established performers in Samson and Kishan.
However, the debate need not be framed as Vaibhav versus Sanju or Vaibhav versus Kishan. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has repeatedly maintained that only the top two batting positions are fixed and the rest of the order remains flexible. Kishan’s adaptability strengthens that approach.
His matchwinning 80 off 46 balls at No. 5 during the Asian Games semifinal vs Sri Lanka showed he can thrive even when he is kept away from the opening slot. It also provided a possible blueprint on how all four batters can feature in the playing XI.
With the series result already decided, India can afford to think beyond just the next game.
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