India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Friday (October 23, 2026) lavished praise on openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, saying that apart from “power, talent and intent”, the two big-hitters also have immense control on their minds.

Kotak said the team management should be appreciated for sticking to Samson and Abhishek despite the social media-fuelled clamour for the inclusion of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the expense of the in-form duo.

Sooryavanshi, who has been warming the bench since the Asian Games, is expected to play on Saturday (October 24, 2026) with Ishan Kishan ruled out of the second T20 against New Zealand with an injury. Samson scored a sublime 67 off 33 balls in India’s opening four-wicket victory while Abhishek too chipped in with valuable runs in the powerplay.

“…there is a lot of speculation in social media about the three openers. So, sometimes, social media should also appreciate that the team management calls are for the good of the team. Because, people want to play their own 11. It doesn’t work like that,” said Kotak on the eve of the second T20I.

Kotak reserved special praise for Samson, who has been remarkably consistent this year.

“Sanju is outstanding, he is a power-packed player. The way he approached the game yesterday. There are so many runs (to chase). If you ever put yourself in the place of a batsman and think that you have to hit three or four sixes in the first two overs, you will also be afraid of getting out.

“If you get out early in two or three games, you would think you would get dropped. So, overcoming all that and the intent (openers) they are showing, that excites me.

“Really, it is amazing that on top of power, talent and intent and everything, they are controlling their minds also. To get them into that fearless attitude, it is unbelievable,” said Kotak.

Vaibhav is a lot more mature now, understands why he is not playing

Kotak said it was sad to see so much hype being created around Sooryavanshi’s international debut earlier this year. The debut happened in July but the left-hander is not a regular in the playing eleven with Samson and Abhishek performing brilliantly.

“See everyone likes him. Public likes him. Social media likes him. He has that talent. Team also likes him. But, because of that, you can’t make changes in 11 because people like him.

“He is very talented and has a bright, bright future ahead. He will learn a lot of things once he starts playing. But, initially, I felt there was a lot of hype about (his spot in 11).”

Kotak said the hype was not good for a young player like Sooryavanshi.

“I genuinely felt it is not good for the player also. For a young 15-16 years old boy, everyone is saying that he should play and he is not getting the space. He is too young.

“It is sad and it is sad for other players also who are performing. People related to cricket, they should think about it. Whether they are actually helping, or just to create something, they are doing something.”

Kotak said that Sooryavanshi knows why he is not in the playing XI, and is learning the ropes in the team environment.

“Now, he is much more mature. He understood that (why he is not playing). He is aware that if Sanju Bhai is doing this kind of batting, how can he stay out? If Abhishek Bhai is doing this kind of batting, only 11 can play.

“He is a very simple boy. I don’t think he has ever complained. He is working on his fielding, fitness, batting, he is always observing. While batting, the things you learn at this level, that is a different thing. He also has to learn that,” said Kotak.

Naman Dhir fits into team’s T20 World Cup plans

Naman Dhir made his T20I debut earlier this month and he has played six games so far. Kotak said Naman has become an important member of the side. His unbeaten 42 off 15 balls in the first match against New Zealand on Thursday helped India pull off their highest chase in T20 cricket.

“Naman Dhir, the way he batted in the last 6-8 balls in the Bangalore match. We know that he is capable of doing that. And, he is capable of bowling more than probably he has bowled even in first class cricket or Vijay Hazare. He is a very exciting talent,” said Kotak.

Does Naman posses enough skills to be included in the team’s plans for the 2028 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand?

“Yes, I think it is enough. Because, in T20, if the left-handers are more, he can bowl four overs. Sometimes, if the situation is left-right, he can bowl two overs or one over. And, someone who can field really well and bat, who can make an impact in batting as a finisher.

“At the moment, obviously, it is too early (to say if he would be part of the World Cup). But, I personally feel he is very promising. His batting technique, he creates the base early, the power he has, the way he plays short-balls, he is a very, very exciting talent.”

Published – October 23, 2026 02:26 pm IST

The rescue act by the batters was impressive but India’s bowling attack needs to find its rhythm and figure out a way to contain a rather destructive New Zealand in the second T20 International in Christchurch on Saturday (October 24, 2026).

As has been the case of late, the batters saved the day for India after the bowlers endured another ordinary outing.

The record chase of 226 gave the visiting team a crucial 1-0 lead but it also highlighted frailties that can cost the side heavily in the remainder of the five-match series.

The fifth and sixth bowling options have been a concern for India with the all-rounders not yet doing justice to those roles in the absence of an injury-prone Hardik Pandya.

On Thursday (October 22, 2026), Nitish Reddy went wicket-less and leaked 40 runs in his four overs while Naman Dhir did not get to bowl before he produced a match-winning effort with the bat.

To compound India’s bowling woes, front-line bowlers too were at the receiving end in the series-opener.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, bowling in his first India game in nearly four years, was not at his sharpest and leaked 49 runs in his full quota of overs.

His two no-balls and as many wides suggested that he needs more time to get up to speed.

Finn Allen and his fellow opener Tim Seifert were able to pick Bhuvneshwar and Arshdeep for boundaries at will in the powerplay, putting the seasoned duo under immense pressure.

Like on Thursday night, the conditions are expected to be ideal for batting, leaving the bowlers with very little room for error. Axar Patel, too, would be under pressure, having leaked the most runs for India in the first T20.

“…we bowled a little ahead compared to the hard lengths we should have been hitting,” acknowledged India skipper Shreyas Iyer after the four-wicket win in which his 28-ball 42 proved vital.

On the batting front, the Indian and New Zealand supporters will, in all likelihood, get to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bat in the middle. The space in the playing eleven has been created due to Ishan Kishan’s injury.

The 15-year-old is expected to open the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma, with Samson to follow at number three.

Tilak Varma is expected to return to his number five spot after being promoted to three on Thursday due to Kishan’s injury.

New Zealand pacers Matt Henry and Adam Milne generated plenty of swing in their first spells but their lengths were not probing enough for Samson and Abhishek.

In Mitchell Santner’s own words, his team’s biggest challenge on Saturday night would be to contain the in-form Indian top-order.

Samson and Abhishek wreaked havoc on the New Zealand bowlers in the powerplay, hammering as many as 94 runs.

On the positive side, Santner and fellow spinner Michael Bracewell troubled the Indian batters in the middle overs and they would be looking to maintain the upper hand over the opposition.

India’s left-handers have struggled against off-spin and that was evident in their approach against Bracewell.

Considering the depth of Indian batting, New Zealand will surely need to bowl better to make a match of it.

“So I think both teams could probably look at a few things here and there, which I think could have gone either way. The extras at the start maybe and obviously I think in the field we were pretty good,” said Santner.

“It’s not an easy ground to catch here. A couple of more chances, closing overs at times, but, I think the powerplay is always going to be a challenge. I guess we have to find a way to slow them down (Samson and Abhishek),” he added.

Squads:

India: Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith.

Match starts 12.30 p.m. IST.

Published – October 23, 2026 01:25 pm IST

Captain Shreyas Iyer warms up before the start of the first T20 international against New Zealand in Christchurch on October 22, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AFP

FIle photo of Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu