Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik believes the team management should consider resting Abhishek Sharma rather than dropping Sanju Samson again if they want to bring Vaibhav Sooryavanshi back into the playing XI for the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand.

Sooryavanshi missed the fourth T20I in Auckland after Ishan Kishan recovered from the injury that had kept him out of the previous two matches. The youngster had impressed in the third encounter in Wellington, smashing 45 runs off just 19 deliveries. However, despite expectations of another opportunity, he was left out of the playing XI.

India suffered an 87-run defeat in the fourth T20I on Friday. Samson and Kishan struggled with the bat, scoring four and zero, respectively, while Abhishek managed 27 runs. New Zealand posted a massive 259/7, powered by Glenn Phillips’ outstanding 107 off 49 balls, before restricting India to 172/9.

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Speaking on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik suggested that resting Abhishek could provide an opportunity for Sooryavanshi without repeatedly sacrificing Samson’s place in the team.

“I know the world will want Vaibhav to play. If they want to play Vaibhav, it has got to be in place of Abhishek, to give him a break, and that is how it should be. Every time there is anything related to Vaibhav, it is always Sanju. If you want to really fit in Vaibhav, Abhishek can take a break. The key word here is break,” Dinesh Karthik said.

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Samson started the series impressively, scoring a match-winning 67 off 33 deliveries in Christchurch and earning the Player of the Match award. However, he managed only 14 and 18 in the following two matches after moving to No. 3 to accommodate Sooryavanshi. Karthik’s suggestion highlights the selection dilemma India could face ahead of the series finale.