Correspondent, 18 October: Indian captain Shreyas Iyer has provided a definitive response regarding Vaibhav Suryavanshi's absence from the playing XI, stating the player will need to wait a little longer for his chance. Suryavanshi spent the entire five-match T20 series against the West Indies on the bench, with the contest ultimately ending in a 2-2 draw.
Addressing Suryavanshi's situation directly, Iyer offered words of encouragement and clarity regarding the team's lineup. "I would only tell him that you will definitely get an opportunity. Keep working consistently on your process and preparation," the captain said. Explaining the delay, he added, "However, sometimes you have to wait because we currently have two excellent opening batters."
The T20 series concluded in a tie after rain forced the cancellation of the fifth and final match. Reflecting on the campaign, Iyer noted that India could have achieved a different result had their bowling performance been better during the second and fourth games. He also commended the West Indies squad, reserving special praise for Shai Hope's outstanding batting throughout the tournament.
With the West Indies assignment concluded, the Indian squad is scheduled to depart for their New Zealand tour on Sunday. A five-match series will commence on October 22 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Meanwhile, West Indies skipper Shai Hope stated that his side was completely deserving of a series victory. "We came very close to winning a series in India, which we haven't been able to do in over 20 years," Hope remarked. Emphasizing their broader progress, he added, "We are definitely moving forward and merely winning a series is not the only success."
Discussing his own impactful performances in India, Hope pointed out that different players stepped up to take responsibility at various points during their matches. He noted that despite a lack of runs in his previous four or five games, a player must maintain self-belief. Hope affirmed that his core methodology never changes and that he prepares very well.
