"We have seen that time and time again in the IPL" - Ravi Shastri lauds Vaibhav Suryavanshi after NZ vs IND 2026 3rd T20I

Former India player Ravi Shastri has lauded Vaibhav Suryavanshi for playing a blazing knock in the third T20I against New Zealand. He pointed out that the Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener isn't overawed by the big stage and has taken the attack to the cleaners multiple times in the Indian Premier League.

New Zealand set India a 199-run target after Shreyas Iyer won the toss and asked them to bat first in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27. Suryavanshi smashed a 19-ball 45 in the chase as the Men in Blue registered a six-wicket win with 40 balls to spare.

During a discussion on Sony Sports, Shastri praised Suryavanshi for showing that he wants to bat aggressively irrespective of the quality of the opposition.

"He has got a smart cricketing brain. He has got the exuberance of youth. He is not overawed. He likes to take the attack to the opposition. We have seen that time and time again in the IPL," he said.

The former India all-rounder added that Suryavanshi hits the ball hard, much like Abhishek Sharma, particularly appreciating him for the six he hit over point.

"Like Abhishek (Sharma), he is a powerful striker. He clears that front leg, can go both sides, and even that shot (six over point) - that's terrific bat speed for the ball to go that far into the crowd," Shastri observed.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma stitched together a 133-run first-wicket partnership in just 7.1 overs. The latter smashed 113 runs off 38 balls as the duo scored a record 118 runs in the Powerplay overs.

"He is not thinking of singles or blocking the ball" - Ravi Shastri on Vaibhav Suryavanshi's first-ball four in NZ vs IND 2026 3rd T20I

In the same discussion, Ravi Shastri was asked about Vaibhav Suryavanshi hitting a four off the first ball of the Indian innings.

"It's the self-belief. His idea is, 'How can I hit a boundary or a six early on?' He is not thinking of singles or blocking the ball. If it's in his arc or in his range, he is going to smack it," he responded.

The former India head coach added that the 15-year-old has a well-rounded game and can clear the boundary despite his age.

"Front foot or back foot, you give him room, he is lethal, and he has got the confidence and the power to clear fences even though he is 15 years of age," Shastri observed.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi struck four fours and as many sixes during his 45-run knock. He struck a four and a six in the first three legal deliveries he faced to give India the much-needed momentum at the start of the innings.

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