Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan backed the team management’s decision to send Vaibhav Suryavanshi into bat at No. 3 in the second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch. Pathan said that separating the established opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson made no change as well. However, Suryavanshi got an opportunity to feature in India’s playing XI in Christchurch as Ishan Kishan was ruled out of the match due to a low-grade right adductor (groin) strain sustained during the series opener in Christchurch as well.

During a discussion on Cricinfo, he said: “Not in this team right now because both the openers have done very well. So it is very difficult to remove them from there. So whatever opportunity is available, Vaibhav should grab it at number three and he should try to make an impact at that position.”

However, Irfan Pathan was not too critical of India’s bowlers allowing New Zealand to recover from 41-3 and post 180. He added that the pitch got better to bat on, adding that India did not have a wicket-taking spinner in the playing XI.

Pathan said, “Generally, after a wicket in powerplay, if the pitch gets slow, then you can say that. But the pitch didn’t get slow. The pitch got better comparatively. And this partnership happened, which led to the score. Yes, if you have spinners, wicket-taking spinners, then things would have been different. If we had stopped them around 170, then it would have been better.”