Samson’s experience or Sooryavanshi’s aggression? India’s big opening dilemma for Afghanistan T20I
New Delhi: India faces a selection dilemma over whether to deploy the explosive aggression of 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or rely on the experience and flair of Sanju Samson as they take on Afghanistan in the opening T20 International of a three-match series starting Sunday.
Although Sooryavanshi was selected ahead of Samson in England, the teenager eventually made way for his senior teammate's return by the final match of that series.
Deciding on the opening combination is not straightforward, though a Samson-Abhishek Sharma partnership offers a more established T20I foundation that has delivered solid results. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer are expected to afford opportunities to both batters before settling on a final XI for the forthcoming Asian Games in Japan.
During Friday's evening training session, Samson appeared composed in the nets, whereas Sooryavanshi received direct instruction from pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah on negotiating quick seam bowling with lateral movement. The youngster may have required time to adjust after featuring in three consecutive red-ball fixtures.
Nevertheless, Sooryavanshi remains capable of dismantling the Afghan attack, which lacks bowlers of Bumrah's calibre. The medium-fast pace of the visitors could suit Sooryavanshi’s minimal footwork and power-hitting technique.
For Samson, being omitted in England after three quick failures in a high-risk format appeared harsh. However, overwhelming public enthusiasm surrounding Sooryavanshi prompted the team management to give him an opportunity, despite their stated commitment to ignoring external clamour.
Both batters could feature together if wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan is ruled out. Kishan suffered a minor back injury during Friday’s practice session, having recently scored 270 and 80 in a stellar Duleep Trophy final performance, and will be eager not to miss playing in his primary format for the national side.
For the Indian squad preparing for the Asian Games, three fixtures against a full-strength Afghanistan lineup featuring a world-class spin attack of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, and Mujeeb ur Rahman provide ideal preparation.
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Afghanistan’s pace attack, featuring Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq alongside all-rounders Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai, could also prove challenging if a worn Feroz Shah Kotla pitch offers assistance following a month-long Delhi Premier League tournament.
Beyond the top-order selection, interest centres on India's spin combination. Given Gambhir’s preference for multi-skilled players, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are expected to be included.
The team management must decide whether to select a third specialist spinner in Varun Chakravarthy or opt for pace bowler Yash Thakur. Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are guaranteed starters alongside all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Amid a crowded international calendar, the BCCI is hosting Afghanistan for this "home away from home" series, generating broadcast revenues, ticket sales, and stadium rights to support the financial health of the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
India squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yash Thakur, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi.
Afghanistan squad: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Darwish Rasooli, Noor ul Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangeliya Kharote, Abdollah Ahmedzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm local time.
PTI