‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s runs haven’t crossed his age thus far’ – Aakash Chopra after India’s defeat in 4th T20I vs England

Aakash Chopra opined that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the other Indian batters have not been able to deal with England’s strategy of bowling short-pitched deliveries during the ongoing five-match T20I series.

Sooryavanshi replaced Sanju Samson in the playing XI for the second T20I and has opened the batting for India in three straight games. However, he has been found wanting against short-pitched deliveries bowled by the duo of Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue. In three games, the southpaw has scored just 42 runs with a highest score of 15.

“Let me start with the short ball. It’s one thing the Indian team has repeatedly been seen surrendering to. The England bowlers did a lot of short bowling. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, it’s been three knocks where he has hit shots every time, and it seemed like he would score more runs, but he hasn’t crossed 15 even once. His runs haven’t crossed his age thus far,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel after India lost the fourth T20I against England at the County Ground in Bristol on Thursday, July 9.

The former India opener noted that not just Sooryavanshi but fellow left-handed batter Ishan Kishan were both dismissed by short-pitched bowling.

“He (Sooryavanshi) hit one or two very good shots, but he got caught against the short ball once again. Ishan Kishan also got caught against the short ball. He got caught in the previous match and this match as well. He has had a lot of problems against the short ball,” he observed.

India have already lost the series with a game to spare after England took an unassailable 3-0 lead with Thursday’s emphatic nine-wicket victory. Chopra urged the Indian batters to strategise in a better way to counter short deliveries.

“Abhishek Sharma’s batting was going like a run-a-ball, and then he eventually got dismissed to a delivery that wasn’t wicket-taking. We are being seen collapsing against the short ball. Our batting strategy against the short ball is not up to the mark. It is turning out to be a bit of a problem, which is being exposed,” Chopra stated.

“We were saying our playing style is carefree and fearless” – Aakash Chopra on India’s timid batting approach in ENG vs IND 2026 4th T20I

Chopra opined that while the Indian players say that they want to play fearless cricket, he couldn’t see much positive intent from them on Thursday. The cricketer-turned-expert noted how India had a pedestrian start with the bat, scoring just 71/3 in the first 10 overs.

“The Indian batting looked slightly timid. We were going at almost a run-a-ball. We scored only 71 runs in 10 overs. It’s not like we had lost a lot of wickets this time. We were saying our playing style is carefree and fearless, and that’s why we have made Vaibhav Suryavanshi a part of this team because we can run faster than this,” he said.

Chopra noted that the batters are worried about getting out and mentioned that a champion team’s playing template shouldn’t change so drastically.

“However, a very timid batting approach. It seems like they are scared of getting out. A champion side’s playing style doesn’t change that radically. If we start oscillating like a car wiper, it means there is a problem. This innings was a true example of a hangover from what happened in the previous match,” Chopra observed.