Iyer says Sooryavanshi must wait for India T20I chance

India captain Shreyas Iyer said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is not assured a place in the playing XI for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, citing the consistent performances of openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Iyer said the 15-year-old would have to wait for an opportunity while the established pair continued to perform. Iyer made the comments ahead of the series opener, describing conversations in which he had advised Sooryavanshi to stay consistent with his process and remain patient. He said the teenager would get an opportunity, but that the two current openers were performing well. His remarks do not establish whether Sooryavanshi will play in any match of the series. Sooryavanshi had featured in eight of India’s 21 T20Is in the year covered by the reports. His limited appearances have come as the team has relied on its regular opening combination. Iyer pointed to the openers’ scoring and their contribution to India’s World Cup victory as reasons for maintaining the arrangement. Iyer also said time with the squad and exposure to overseas conditions could help Sooryavanshi prepare for future assignments. He said playing in those conditions would give the...