Teen Opener Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma Ignite India’s Series-Clinching Win Over New Zealand

New Delhi, Oct 28: Promoted back to the opening slot after a demotion to No. 3 in the previous match, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi capitalized on the opportunity with an explosive innings against New Zealand in the third T20I.

The teenager bludgeoned 45 runs from only 19 balls, smashing four sixes and four fours for a strike rate of 236.84. It was a stark improvement from his second T20I outing at No. 3, where he managed just four runs off eight deliveries.

Former India batter Sadagopan Ramesh said restoring Sooryavanshi to the opening slot gave the youngster the freedom to express himself at the crease.

“Sooryavanshi received a chocolate from the team management for being sent to open. He batted with the carefree freedom of a schoolboy on a Friday evening, knowing the next two days were off,” Ramesh said in a video.

Ramesh Praises Abhishek Sharma’s Destructive Batting

Ramesh, who played 19 Tests and 24 ODIs for India, was equally impressed by Abhishek Sharma’s extraordinary display at the top of the order. The left-handed opener unleashed a devastating power-hitting display that piled immense pressure on the New Zealand bowlers.

“Abhishek Sharma is batting like a name bowlers fear hearing. He was absolutely demonic today. Nearly every record for the fastest opening partnerships was broken. Scoring 133 runs in seven overs — a run rate of 19 — is simply astonishing. Even with Diwali still ahead, the Indian batters, led by Abhishek, were bursting Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,000 crackers with the bat,” he said.

Sharma’s remarkable innings yielded 113 runs off just 38 balls, including 11 sixes and nine fours. His explosive partnership with Sooryavanshi set the foundation for India’s dominant run chase.

Iyer Calls India’s Batting Display ‘Absolutely Stunning’

India captain Shreyas Iyer expressed amazement at the attacking approach of Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose partnership helped India secure a comprehensive six-wicket victory in the third T20I on Tuesday.

The victory handed India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, highlighting the team’s dominance.

“Absolutely stunning. It was a pleasure watching them stroke the ball so cleanly. When Sanju and I walked in, the ball was seaming, and I wondered how they managed it. It was simply mind-boggling,” Iyer said during the post-match presentation.

India chased down New Zealand’s target of 199 in just 13.2 overs, finishing with 40 balls to spare. While Sharma’s breathtaking century laid the foundation, Sooryavanshi’s quickfire knock ensured India maintained momentum throughout.

The emphatic result underscored India’s batting firepower, as the young opening pair delivered a display that left opposition bowlers and former cricketers alike in awe.

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