For the third T20I of the ongoing 5-match series against New Zealand, the Indian team management allowed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to retain an opening slot to pair up with Abhishek Sharma and placed Sanju Samson at No.3. In the previous match, in the absence of injured Ishan Kishan, who is a prominent No.3 batter of the India National Cricket Team, Sooryavanshi played as the number three batter.

Former Team India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, in his latest YouTube video, opined that as long as Ishan Kishan remains unavailable to play, the Indian team management should consider Sooryavanshi as an opener and Sanju Samson as the one-down batter.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returned as an opener and showed his class

After missing out on the entire home T20I series against West Indies and then the first T20I in New Zealand, there were uncertainties over Sooryavanshi's chances to play for the national side in the ongoing bilateral series. The injury of Ishan Kishan opened the door for the 15-year-old.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made his name as an explosive opener in the shortest format of the game. Taking everyone by surprise, the Indian team management sent Vaibhav as their number three batter for the second T20I against New Zealand. The teenager eventually flopped in his new role.

He bounced back soon in the next match, in his usual batting position. In Wellington, the southpaw scored 45 runs off 19 balls. With his brilliant batting, the Indian cricket team got a flying start in the match and later won the match as well.

Ravichandran Ashwin, in his video, stated that the confusion around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is without any reason. The former cricketer clearly mentioned that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a designated opener, and he should not be removed from that role.

Ravichandran Ashwin advises India not to push Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's batting order back

Ashwin also noted that in the presence of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav is not the management's first choice. The Bihar-born played the last couple of games because of Kishan's injury.

"I think we are creating confusion without reason. It is very clear. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not the first choice pick in the XI. Sanju and Abhishek will be at the top. But I really like what they did in this game. For a particular game, you need to pick the right order with the XI you have," Ravichandran Ashwin said on 'Ash ki Baat'.

Till Ishan is back, your best option is Samson for the number three role. He has that experience. Till Ishan comes back, this is the right option," he added.

New Zealand could face a whitewash

With three consecutive wins in the five-match T20I contest, Team India has already claimed the series over the host nation, New Zealand.

The fourth match will be played on October 30 at Eden City in Auckland. The Men in Blue will try their best to continue their momentum. If they can win the remaining two matches, then the host will face a whitewash.