NZ vs IND: 3 reasons why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should open instead of Sanju Samson in 3rd T20I

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi replaced injured Ishan Kishan in India’s playing XI.

India are taking on New Zealand in the 3rd T20I of the five-match series. The match is underway at the Sky Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27. The visitors have won the first two matches and will look to continue their winning run.

However, India’s top order struggled a bit in the second T20I. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi came to bat at No. 3 in Ishan Kishan’s absence. He seemed uncomfortable at No. 3 and was dismissed for 4 off 8 balls.

Here are the three major reasons Vaibhav should open instead of Sanju Samson in the 3rd T20I.

The powerplay numbers favour Sooryavanshi

Since IPL 2025, Sooryavanshi has a powerplay strike rate of 228.26, while Samson’s is 157.14. Abhishek Sharma, who opens for India, sits at 196.41. Pairing him with the only batter above 200 in the powerplay puts the pressure on the opposition from the very first over.

Sooryavanshi has played far fewer innings than Samson, so the number may settle lower over time. Even so, a strike rate this far ahead of the rest is hard to ignore.

Samson can bat lower and still score

Samson scores at almost the same speed in both phases. His strike rate is 157.14 in the powerplay and 158.17 after it. That steadiness is what a middle-order batter needs. He does not need field restrictions to score runs quickly.

Sooryavanshi scores at 210 after the powerplay, so he is dangerous in both phases. But Samson’s evenness makes him the one who can move down without losing value. In Christchurch, India lost five wickets by the 11th over, and the middle needed experience.

Samson can take on Santner in the middle overs

Mitchell Santner took 4 for 21 in the second T20I, removing Shreyas Iyer, Abhishek and Axar Patel among others. New Zealand‘s plan worked because India’s middle order could not score off him. Samson, at No. 3, can handle Santner’s spin with ease.

Sooryavanshi has looked less comfortable against spin. If New Zealand bring Santner on early, perhaps to the second over after a quick start, he could be tested. That risk is real, and India should plan around it.

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