Samson Or Sooryavanshi? India Face Tough Selection Call Against Afghanistan

India begin their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan on Sunday with a fascinating selection dilemma at the top of the order: experience in Sanju Samson or the fearless aggression of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Sooryavanshi was preferred to Samson during the recent England series, but the teenager eventually made way for the senior batter in the final match. That history makes Sunday’s decision far from straightforward, particularly with both players looking to establish their place ahead of the Asian Games in Japan.

The Samson-Abhishek Sharma combination offers greater experience and has produced encouraging results, while Sooryavanshi brings a completely different brand of batting. His minimal footwork and powerful, stand-and-deliver approach could be particularly effective against an Afghanistan attack that lacks a bowler of Jasprit Bumrah’s quality and movement.

During Friday’s net session, Samson appeared slightly more assured, while Sooryavanshi received valuable advice from Bumrah on handling quick bowling and movement off the pitch. The youngster may also have been adjusting after playing three consecutive red-ball matches.

Samson’s omission in England after only three failures had raised eyebrows, but the growing excitement around Sooryavanshi had put pressure on the team management to give the teenager an opportunity.

There is also a possibility of both featuring if Ishan Kishan fails to recover from a back injury scare. Kishan enters the series on the back of a spectacular Duleep Trophy final, where he scored 270 and 80, making his availability particularly important.

For India’s Asian Games-bound squad, the Afghanistan series offers ideal preparation. Afghanistan possess a formidable spin trio in Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed and Mujeeb ur Rahman, while pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq and all-rounders Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai add depth.

The Feroz Shah Kotla pitch could also test India after a month of DPL action, potentially bringing bowlers into the contest.

India are expected to rely on Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, with the choice between specialist spinner Varun Chakravarthy and seamer Yash Thakur another key call. Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy appear certain to feature.

The match starts at 7:30 pm.