Former India bowler Dodda Ganesh criticised head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dropped from the playing XI. Ishan Kishan, who returned after recovering from an injury, replaced Vaibhav for the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Auckland on Friday.
India secured the five-match series with victories in Christchurch and Wellington, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead before the Auckland fixture. They have also enjoyed a dominant run against New Zealand in T20Is this year, winning eight of their nine games, including the 2026 T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
Dodda Ganesh expressed his disappointment over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's exclusion. He said India could have rested a senior player, with the series already decided.
"The series is done. Could’ve rested a senior and played Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Don’t understand this decision of dropping him #NZvIND," Ganesh posted on X.
The series is done. Could’ve rested a senior and played Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Don’t understand this decision of dropping him #NZvIND
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) October 30, 2026
Sooryavanshi had entered the playing XI after Ishan Kishan suffered a low-grade strain in his right adductor during the series opener in Christchurch. The wicketkeeper-batter missed the next two matches, allowing the youngster to feature in the second and third T20Is.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 45-Run Knock and Record Opening Stand
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struggled in his first outing against New Zealand, scoring four off eight balls while batting at No. 3 in the second T20I. However, he made a strong comeback in Wellington, smashing 45 off just 19 deliveries, including four boundaries and four sixes, at a strike rate of 236.84.
He shared a 133-run opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma in just 7.1 overs. The pair also scored 118 without losing a wicket in the powerplay, surpassing Romania's previous T20I record of 116 against Serbia in 2021. India chased down the 199-run target in just 13.2 overs.
The youngster had to make way despite his performance. Samson, who moved to No. 3 in Wellington to accommodate him, was also expected to return to his opening position alongside Abhishek in Auckland.
Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir Star in India's Series Win
Abhishek Sharma has been India's standout batter at the top of the order, scoring 169 runs in three matches. In the third T20I, he smashed 113 off just 38 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes.
Sanju Samson has scored 99 runs, with his best knock being 67 off 33 balls in the opening match. He reached his half-century in just 23 deliveries and shared a 93-run powerplay partnership with Abhishek.
Tilak Varma played a key role in India's second T20I victory, scoring an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls after the team slipped to 70/5. He scored 42 runs off his final 16 deliveries to guide India through the chase.
Naman Dhir has scored 77 runs in the series and emerged as a reliable lower-order finisher. His standout effort was an unbeaten 42 off 15 balls in the opener, which helped India complete their highest successful T20I chase against New Zealand. He also scored 31 off 21 balls in the second match.
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