4th T20I: Sooryavanshi or Samson? India face selection call if Ishan Kishan returns

India’s unassailable 3-0 lead has given them room to experiment, but Ishan Kishan’s potential return could complicate their plans for the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Auckland on Friday. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive start to the series has strengthened his case to remain at the top, leaving India to weigh up whether to persist with the teenager or bring Sanju Samson back into the opening combination.

Sooryavanshi made that decision harder in Wellington, smashing 45 off 19 balls as he and Abhishek Sharma added 133 for the first wicket in a chase of 199 that India completed in just 13.2 overs. Kishan, meanwhile, has returned to the nets as he recovers from a groin injury.

India also have other options to consider, with Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy yet to feature in the series. The fourth T20I could give the team management an opportunity to test its bench strength with the T20 World Cup in mind.

SAMSON OR SOORYAVANSHI IF ISHAN RETURNS?

Sooryavanshi has given India another option at the top of the order. His 45 off 19 balls in Wellington was an innings of intent, and his partnership with Abhishek put New Zealand on the back foot before their bowlers could settle into a rhythm.

But if Kishan is declared fit, India will have to decide whether to retain the teenager or bring back Samson as an opener. Samson moved to No. 3 in Wellington to accommodate Sooryavanshi, having opened alongside Abhishek earlier in the series.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Samson should return to the opening slot if Kishan is available. Ashwin has praised Sooryavanshi’s talent but urged people not to place too much pressure on the youngster so early in his career.

It is a call that goes beyond one impressive innings. Samson brings experience to the top of the order, while Sooryavanshi has shown he can give India a flying start. With Kishan also in contention, India have several options, but fitting all three into the same top order would require a reshuffle.

Kishan’s fitness remains the key factor. He missed the second and third T20Is with a low-grade right adductor strain and was seen batting in the nets ahead of the Auckland match. India have little reason to rush him back with the series already secured, so his recovery will determine whether the selection debate becomes a real decision on match day.

If Kishan is unavailable, Sooryavanshi should get another opportunity. If he is fit, Samson’s return to the opening slot is a strong possibility.

WILL KULDEEP AND VARUN GET A GAME?

India’s batting depth has been a major strength in the series, allowing the top order to attack without worrying too much about what follows. But with the result settled, the remaining matches offer an opportunity to test the bowling combination.

Kuldeep and Varun have yet to play against New Zealand. Kuldeep brings a proven ability to take wickets in the middle overs, while Varun offers a different challenge with his variations. Both could benefit from game time, particularly as India look to assess their options for future assignments.

Eden Park will test their control. The short straight boundaries leave little room for error, and even a well-disguised delivery can disappear if the length is slightly off. That makes the prospect of playing a specialist spinner interesting, but it also means India will need to consider the balance of their side.

Playing either spinner could mean sacrificing some batting depth. India have relied on a deep batting line-up throughout the series, and there is little incentive to abandon a formula that has delivered three wins. However, the remaining matches provide a chance to see how the bowling attack fares with a different combination.

Shivam Dube could also come into consideration if India decide to rest Nitish Kumar Reddy. Mayank Yadav is another option after making way for Prince Yadav following the opening match.

India do not need wholesale changes, but giving one or both spinners a game would help the management assess its options. The decision may come down to how much importance they place on rotation against the need to maintain a balanced XI.

4th T20I: AUCKLAND PITCH AND CONDITIONS

Eden Park is a very different challenge for bowlers because of its unusually short straight boundaries. The square boundaries are longer, so teams will need to adjust their plans rather than simply rely on pace or variations.

The ground’s straight boundaries fall short of the ICC’s current minimum distance requirements, although the venue is exempt because it predates those regulations. For India’s aggressive top order, that could mean more opportunities to clear the ropes, particularly if New Zealand miss their lengths.

The hosts have already seen how quickly India can take a game away from them. In Wellington, India smashed 118 runs in the first six overs and chased down 199 with 40 balls remaining. New Zealand’s bowlers were unable to slow the scoring, and they will need a better plan in Auckland.

Mitchell Santner remains an important figure for the hosts, but he needs support from the other end. New Zealand will have to make better use of the larger square boundaries, vary their pace and avoid giving India’s batters room to free their arms.

The venue also puts pressure on India’s bowlers. If Kuldeep or Varun gets a chance, the match will offer a useful test of their control under conditions that leave little margin for error.

The weather is expected to remain fine, setting up a full contest at Eden Park. With a sizeable Indian crowd expected, New Zealand will be keen to give their supporters something to cheer after three defeats.

NZ vs IND 4th T20I: PREDICTED XI

For India, the predicted XI could change depending on Kishan’s fitness and the management’s plans for the bowling attack. Kuldeep and Varun remain in contention, while Dube could also get an opportunity if India decide to rest Reddy.

India: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.

New Zealand will be without Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry for the remainder of the T20I series because of injuries. Matt Fisher has joined the squad as cover for Ferguson, while Nathan Smith could return after missing the third match with a minor injury concern.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Nathan Smith.

– Ends