India’s top order collapsed in the opening overs of their chase, and the scoreboard reads 56 for 4 after just 5.3 overs. The batting side was chasing a huge total set by New Zealand, who posted 259 for 7 in their 20 overs and handed India a target of 260.

Sanju Samson was the first to go, dismissed for 4 after facing just two balls. The early dismissal left the innings without any momentum before it had properly started.

Abhishek Sharma offered some resistance, scoring 27 off 15 deliveries before he was dismissed. Ishan Kishan walked back to the pavilion without opening his account. Captain Shreyas Iyer added 22 off 11 balls, but he too was out, and India were left in deep trouble at 56 for 4.

The required rate tells the whole story. With 204 runs still needed from 87 balls, the pressure on the remaining batters is enormous. Every boundary now matters, and every wicket feels like a turning point.

Fans turn their anger toward the team sheet

While the scoreboard was grabbing attention on the field, a second storyline exploded across social media. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the young player who had recently drawn attention for his batting, was not included in the playing XI, and fans were quick to voice their frustration.

Many supporters posted sharp comments about the decision. One fan’s reaction captured the mood of many who felt the teenager deserved a chance:

“They sat aside the little boy who came in at such a young age and created a sensation... now see what happens.”

The comments were a mix of jokes and genuine anger. Some fans were openly sarcastic, while others were convinced that the young batter could have changed the match. The question now doing the rounds is simple: if Vaibhav had been given the opportunity, would the situation look different?

Not everyone agrees with that line of thinking. A section of fans argued that the current situation is about the match itself, not the selection. They said it is unfair to question the team combination based on the scorecard of a single game. That debate has become one of the loudest talking points around the contest.

The chase now looks almost impossible on paper

New Zealand’s total gave them a clear advantage from the start. Their 259 for 7 in 20 overs put India in a position where recovery requires a sustained partnership and a rapid scoring rate. Losing four wickets inside the first six overs has made that task far harder.

The 56 for 4 scoreline also shifts the mental burden onto the batters still to come. They must rebuild the innings while keeping the scoreboard moving, and any further collapse would leave little room for error. Cricket fans know that a chase of this size can swing in a few overs, but the early losses have left India with very little margin.

For now, the focus stays on the middle overs, where India must find stability and begin to close the gap. Every run from here will be measured against the 204 still required, and every ball will be watched closely by a fanbase that is already split between frustration and hope.

The fans have asked their question, and the answer will come from the middle, not from the stands. Whether India can pull this chase back from the edge will decide whether the debate over Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes a footnote or the defining story of the night.