Parthiv Patel Says Bowlers Will Continue Targeting Sooryavanshi With Short Deliveries

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has identified short-pitched bowling as a major challenge for young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, warning that opposition teams are likely to continue targeting him with pace and bounce. The teenager, who impressed during the Indian Premier League 2026 season, has struggled to reproduce the same impact in international cricket during India’s ongoing T20I series against England.

Sooryavanshi scored 14 runs off 10 balls in the second T20I before making 13 from five deliveries in the third match. England’s fast bowlers repeatedly tested him with short deliveries, a tactic Patel believes was predictable for anyone who had closely followed the youngster during the IPL. He said the plan was not limited to a single dismissal, with bowlers consistently using similar lines and lengths to test Sooryavanshi’s response against the rising ball.

Patel said Sooryavanshi can expect to face more short-pitched deliveries at speeds exceeding 145 km/h as his international career progresses. According to the former India player, opposition bowlers will continue to target the apparent weakness until the young batter develops an effective response. The challenge, he added, will be how Sooryavanshi adjusts his technique and approach when facing high-quality fast bowling under different conditions.

Also Read: England Beat India By 125 Runs in Third T20I To Lead Series 2-0

The former wicketkeeper-batter also called for greater game awareness from India’s batting unit after the team suffered a major collapse in the third T20I. India were bowled out for 78 while chasing 200, raising concerns over the batters’ approach in conditions that were different from the flatter pitches they are accustomed to. Patel urged the players to assess the situation better instead of attempting to score quickly from the beginning of their innings.

Patel said experienced T20 batters often have more time than they realise and can afford to spend an over or two adjusting to the conditions. He stressed the importance of understanding the dimensions of the ground, the pace of the wicket and the behaviour of the ball before playing aggressively. With English pitches offering different challenges, he believes India’s batters must show greater patience and adapt their approach according to the match situation.

India will now look to recover from their heavy defeat when they face England in the fourth T20I in Bristol. The visitors will be hoping for a stronger response from their batting unit, while Sooryavanshi’s handling of short-pitched bowling is expected to remain under close attention. England, meanwhile, will aim to continue exploiting any weaknesses and move closer to securing the series with another victory.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Makes Strong International Statement With Fearless Maiden Knock For India