Ajinkya Rahane hails Team India’s move to send Vaibhav Sooryavanshi back as opener

Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has praised the team management for reinstating Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as India’s opener in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. Rahane emphasized that the decision to move Sooryavanshi back to the top of the order reflects the coaching staff’s belief in his ability to provide a solid, aggressive start and set the tone for India’s innings. Sooryavanshi had batted at No. 3 in the second T20I of the series, but the team opted to revert him to the opening slot to capitalize on the power-play and establish a quick foundation. Rahane’s remarks highlight a broader approach within Indian cricket to rotate roles and optimize matchups, leveraging Sooryavanshi’s technique and temperament at the very outset of the innings. The move comes as India continues to experiment with opening combinations in the shortest format, aiming to balance early acceleration with stability. If Sooryavanshi can anchor the early overs while the middle order builds and finishes strongly, the strategy could yield dividends in this home series. Rahane’s endorsement signals confidence that the opener can adapt to the demands of international white-ball cricket and contribute to a cohesive team plan against New Zealand.