Parthiv Patel warns Vaibhav Sooryavanshi about England short-ball plan

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Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be ready for more short-pitched bowling after England targeted the young opener in the recent T20Is.

Sooryavanshi, who impressed during IPL 2026, has made 14 and 13 in the last two T20Is against England. The Times of India reported that England’s bowlers have used short deliveries as a consistent plan against him.

Patel says teams have already identified the short-ball option against Sooryavanshi

Patel told JioHotstar that England’s tactic was not surprising because teams had noticed the option during the IPL. Patel said: “Not just Jofra Archer, I think anyone who watched the IPL would not be surprised that there is a deliberate plan to bowl short to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. It wasn’t just the wicket ball; the ball before it was short as well. In the first game, on the delivery he hit for six, it may not have bounced as much, but the line was the same.”

Patel said Sooryavanshi will keep facing pace and bounce as his international career develops. Patel added: “As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi progresses in his international career, he will continue to face this kind of bowling, with deliveries that are short and above 145 km/hr. So, the question will definitely be how he copes against short-pitched bowling, because every bowler will look to target him there.”

India’s batting response is also under scrutiny after 78 all out

Patel also said India’s batters need better game awareness after India were bowled out for 78 in the third T20I. Patel said India’s batters should take time to settle rather than attack immediately, especially in English conditions.

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Patel said: “I would like to see a better understanding of the game and a bit more game awareness from the Indian batters in Bristol. Yes, there are 200 runs on the board, but these are all experienced T20 batters and, in this format, you have a bit more time than you think.”

Patel added: “You can afford to take one or two overs to get your eye in. The conditions are different, the wickets aren’t as flat, and you have to get used to the ground dimensions and the pace of the wicket. So, it’s very important to give yourself some time.”

The fourth T20I leaves India needing a recovery and England chasing the series finish

India will look to respond in the fourth T20I after the batting collapse in the previous match. England will aim to close out the series with another win, while Sooryavanshi’s handling of short-pitched bowling remains one of the key individual points to watch.