Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s left-handed batting could give India a different opening combination against West Indies.

The 15-year-old offers an attacking option for the series decider, with the five-match contest level at 2-2.

India are set to face West Indies in the fifth and final T20I on Saturday, October 17, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With the five-match series level at 2-2, both teams will be eager to win the series decider and finish the contest on a high.

One player who could be considered for the crucial encounter is 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The young left-handed batter has been waiting for an opportunity to make his international debut. There are three major reasons why Suryavanshi should be part of India’s playing XI for the fifth T20I.

Three reasons why Vaibhav Suryavanshi should play in 5th T20I vs West Indies

1. Sanju Samson can strengthen the middle order

Sanju Samson’s explosive 56 off just 23 balls in the fourth T20I highlighted his ability to score quickly and put the opposition under pressure. However, his inclusion in the middle order could also help India accommodate Suryavanshi at the top without having to leave an in-form batter out of the side. Samson has the ability to attack spin bowling and clear the boundary with ease.

Moving him to number four or five would give India an experienced batter who can maintain the scoring rate during the middle overs. It would also provide greater flexibility to the batting order, particularly if the opposition manages to slow down the innings after the powerplay. Such a move could open up a spot at the top of the order for Suryavanshi. India would then have the option of testing the youngster as a specialist opener while retaining Samson’s explosive batting in a role that could be equally valuable to the team.

2. His left-handed batting could disrupt West Indies’ plans

Suryavanshi’s left-handed batting provides another reason for India to consider him for the series decider. T20 teams regularly plan their bowling combinations and field placements around the batters they expect to face. Introducing him with Abhishek Sharma could force West Indies to adjust their strategies during the powerplay. A left-right combination at the top can make it more difficult for bowlers to settle into a consistent line and length. Changes in the strike also require fielders to reposition themselves, potentially creating gaps that an aggressive batter can exploit.

Suryavanshi’s attacking approach could be particularly useful during the first six overs, when fielding restrictions provide batters with opportunities to target the boundary. If he gets going early, India could build momentum and put the West Indies bowlers under pressure from the start. The youngster’s inclusion would also give India an opportunity to assess another opening option in a high-pressure international match.

3. The Chinnaswamy Stadium could suit his aggressive approach

The venue for the series decider offers another compelling reason to consider Suryavanshi. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for its relatively short boundaries and batting-friendly conditions, which often allow aggressive batters to score quickly. With the series tied at 2-2, India could benefit from a batter willing to attack from the beginning rather than take too long to settle. Suryavanshi’s fearless approach could make him an interesting option in conditions where powerplay runs can have a significant impact on the final result.

His limited exposure to international cricket also means West Indies would have less experience of facing him at this level. There are, of course, risks involved in handing a 15-year-old his international debut in such an important match. However, the opportunity could also allow Suryavanshi to showcase his attacking ability on a big stage. With India looking to seal the series, his inclusion could provide an additional attacking option at the top of the order.