“They also need match time” – Former cricketer backs Gautam Gambhir over Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s exclusion from NZ vs IND 2026 5th T20I

Deep Dasgupta explained India’s decision to bench Vaibhav Suryavanshi for the fifth and final T20I of the recently concluded New Zealand series. Several fans opined that the youngster should have been included, with the Men in Blue already having sealed the series victory.

The former cricketer noted that Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma play just one format in international cricket. He remarked that the two also needed some game time.

Dasgupta reckoned that Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir would have made a long-term plan for Suryavanshi and would have communicated it to the 15-year-old. He said in his latest YouTube video:

“Where will Abhishek and Sanju play international cricket after this? They play just one format. They also need match time. So, that becomes an issue. You can give them rest, but you don’t want Abhishek or Sanju, your first-choice opening pair, to lose their form.

“Looking for Vaibhav’s perspective, it’s a good initiation that you are getting a chance to open or bat in the top three, you are with the team, and getting to learn. A very important thing here is the conversation with the coach. I’m sure Gautam will have a long-term plan for someone like Vaibhav, and I’m sure it would have been communicated to Vaibhav.”

India claimed an unassailable 3-0 lead by winning the first three games. The hosts bounced back by ending the series with consecutive consolation victories.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi played an impactful knock in the 3rd NZ vs IND 2026 T20I

Vaibhav Suryavanshi was not picked in the Indian playing XI for the T20I series opener against New Zealand. He was included in the side for the second fixture after Ishan Kishan was ruled out due to a low-grade right adductor strain.

The hard-hitting batter played at No. 3 instead of his usual opening position and was dismissed for four off eight balls. He got a chance to open in the third T20I, where he played a crucial 45-run knock in just 19 deliveries.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi was left out of the starting XI for the final two T20Is as Kishan recovered from the injury and returned to the team.

Edited by Aditya Suketu Desai