New Zealand paceman Jacob Duffy stated that the team has prepared specific plans to challenge India's teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the upcoming Twenty20 series. According to Khaleej Times, Duffy said the Black Caps have conducted extensive scouting sessions on the 15-year-old, noting that New Zealand's home conditions will present a different set of challenges compared to the subcontinent. The five-match series is scheduled to begin on Thursday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Sooryavanshi has gained international attention for his aggressive batting style, having broken multiple records in the Indian Premier League before becoming India's youngest male international cricketer. Sportstar reported that he made his debut in a T20 series in England in July. Following a slow start against England, he hit a fifty off 18 balls against Zimbabwe, making him the youngest batter to reach that milestone in men's international cricket. He also contributed to India's gold medal victory in T20 cricket at the Asian Games in Japan.
Duffy emphasized that Sooryavanshi's consistency at the crease is remarkable, noting that the Indian batsman maintains a high strike rate without frequent misses. The New Zealand bowler explained that while Sooryavanshi has played in England, the specific conditions in New Zealand, which tend to favor seam bowling, will be a distinct test. Duffy mentioned speaking with the head groundsman at Hagley Oval to understand the expected pitch behavior, hoping for a wicket that offers bounce rather than the flat surfaces typical of some subcontinent venues.
The T20 series is the initial phase of India's tour, which will also include limited-overs matches and a two-Test series. Duffy, who won the Sir Richard Hadlee award as New Zealand's top player in 2025, is eager to perform well in the upcoming Test matches. He recently won the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and reached the final of the T20 World Cup in India. Having made his Test debut last year at age 31, Duffy expressed his enthusiasm for the format, stating that he gets up for any Test match.