Kaif furious as Suryavanshi dropped despite series being sealed, questions India's selection

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has questioned the decision not to give young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi regular opportunities in the ongoing T20 series against New Zealand. In his view, Suryavanshi should have been played in the fourth T20 even after the series had already been secured.

Suryavanshi has been described as a wonder boy of Indian cricket — still in the ranks of children in age and behaviour, but a destructive batter in cricketing brain. The national team's plan for the talented cricketer is clear: team management wants to build the young batter gradually and give him the chance to adjust to international cricket.

Suryavanshi got to play in the second and third T20s against New Zealand. He made the eleven after Ishan Kishan was ruled out through injury. In the third match, he and Abhishek Sharma batted stormily to put on a 100-run partnership in just six overs. But when Kishan returned fit, Suryavanshi was dropped from the eleven for the fourth T20. India lost that match.

Kaif believes that, with India leading the series 3-0, Suryavanshi could have been given another match. On his YouTube channel he said, 'This is not good news for that player, Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He has the potential to be a future superstar. In the third T20, he and Abhishek Sharma scored 100 runs in six overs. For such a player, regular opportunities are essential to build confidence. The same applies even to experienced players.'

The former cricketer also questioned India's team selection. In his view, if new players were being considered for opportunities, Suryavanshi should have been viewed the same way. Kaif said, 'There was an opportunity to play him in this match. India had already won the series. The series situation needed to be considered. On one hand, it is being said that new players are being given chances by leaving out Bhuvneshwar. Vaibhav is also new, so why would he not be given the same opportunity? Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav are being prepared. By the same logic, Vaibhav should have played too. The situation was favourable enough to give him the chance.'

Kaif also commented that dropping the young cricketer after just one match in such a situation is not good for his confidence.

Kaif also gave his view on Ishan Kishan's return. In his view, once the series was secured, Kishan could have been rested and Suryavanshi played. Kishan returned from injury and took on wicketkeeping duties. Kaif speculated that the keeping duties may have been given to him because he was perhaps not fully fit and did not have to run much — though he gave no confirmed information on the matter.

In Kaif's words, 'If Ishan had even a minor injury or discomfort, he could have been rested. This was not a do-or-die match. India was leading the series 3-0 at the time.'