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Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has explained the mechanics behind Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting after the 15-year-old scored 45 off 19 balls in India’s third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington on October 27, 2026. Sooryavanshi struck four fours and four sixes, with 40 of his runs coming in boundaries, as India’s opening pair launched a rapid chase of 199.
Pathan highlighted the teenager’s bat flow, the separation between his hips and shoulders, and the stability of his head as key elements behind his ability to generate power. Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma put on 133 runs for the first wicket from just 43 deliveries, setting up India’s successful chase, which was completed with 40 balls remaining.
Pathan’s analysis focused on the coordination behind Sooryavanshi’s hitting rather than treating the big shots as a product of strength alone. He pointed to the way the youngster’s bat flows through the ball, how his hips and shoulders separate during the movement, and the importance of keeping his head stable while playing attacking strokes.
Those elements can help a batter transfer energy efficiently while maintaining balance and control. A stable head can support visual tracking and shot execution, while the timing of the hips, shoulders and hands can influence how quickly the bat moves through the hitting zone. Pathan’s observations were an assessment of Sooryavanshi’s technique following the innings.
The teenager also made an immediate statement in the chase by hitting a big shot off the first ball he faced, according to the Indian Express report. Pathan described that early attack as important in putting New Zealand under pressure from the outset.
Sooryavanshi’s 45 came from just 19 balls, with four fours and four sixes accounting for 40 runs. The innings helped India seize momentum early in the chase and gave Abhishek Sharma room to continue attacking at the other end.
The pair’s 133-run partnership was built in only 43 balls. That works out to a scoring rate of more than 18 runs per over, a pace that sharply reduced the number of runs India needed from the remainder of the innings. Abhishek went on to score a century, and India reached the target of 199 with six wickets in hand and 40 balls to spare.
The result gave India a 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series, according to match reports. The opening stand was central to the chase, as the required run rate became less demanding after the pair’s rapid start.
Pathan also discussed where Sooryavanshi should bat. He said he would have preferred Sanju Samson to open alongside Abhishek Sharma, preserving a left-right combination at the top, with Sooryavanshi coming in at number three.
That view was a selection preference rather than a criticism of the teenager’s ability. Pathan acknowledged that changing positions can be difficult for a young player, especially when a role requires different decisions about timing, field placement and risk. Sooryavanshi had batted at number three in the previous match, but returned to the opening position for the third T20I.
The discussion highlights the challenge for team management in balancing a player’s preferred role with the combination and needs of the wider batting order. Opening can offer attacking opportunities during the powerplay, when fielding restrictions limit the number of players outside the inner circle. A number-three role can bring a different entry point and match situation, requiring a batter to adjust quickly.
Sooryavanshi’s 19-ball innings was brief, but its impact was magnified by the opening partnership and India’s overall scoring rate. In T20 cricket, a fast start can alter the pressure on both the chasing side and the bowling team, especially when it arrives against a target close to 200.
Pathan’s technical explanation adds another layer to the performance: it points to coordination and balance as part of the power-hitting package. The innings also leaves a tactical question for India as the series continues: whether to keep Sooryavanshi at the top of the order or use him in another position to accommodate the team’s preferred combination.
India’s 3-0 lead gave the team a strong position in the five-match series, while Sooryavanshi’s innings provided another example of his ability to score quickly in international cricket. The next matches will show how India manage the batting order and how New Zealand respond to the aggressive approach of the opening pair.
