Former India player Abhinav Mukund admitted that India would be tempted to select Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the playing XI for the fifth T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru. Mukund, however, shared that the decision to include him would be a tricky one as the batting line-up would have to be altered to give him a chance. However, India will take on the West Indies at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17, in the fifth and final T20I of the series as well.

During a discussion on Cricinfo, Mukund said: “This is the only thing that I am extremely tempted about. If you are getting out-hit by a side, there is a guy who is threatening to hit 9, 10 sixes in an innings. And, he is sitting on the bench. I know he is a young man and probably not as experienced in international cricket, But I’d be tempted to give the boy a go because it actually changes the mood within the dressing room also.”

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“But, it’s also a risk because every other batter starts batting out of position. Sanju Samson then comes in at three and then Ishan comes in later. And then you don’t know who to fit. Who would you play him in place of? These are questions that are going to be a very difficult one to answer if you fit in Vaibhav into that side,” he added.

While the West Indies registered a series-levelling win in Hyderabad, Mukund has said that Team India as favourites for the decider in Bengaluru.

“I think India are favourites because they know the conditions in Bengaluru. Hyderabad was a little bit of an unknown because the pitch was relaid, outfield was very different,” he concluded.