The Men in Blue are set to kick off their Asian Games 2026' dress rehearsal with a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. After stumbling through rough series in Ireland and England, India managed to regain their footing with a decisive victory over Zimbabwe. Carrying that newly found momentum forward is essential as the team looks to build firm confidence ahead of the upcoming Games.
Ibrahim Zadran is wary of 'Vaibhav Sooryavanshi' challenge
Much of the spotlight will shine on 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Following a blockbuster IPL season where he smashed over 700 runs, the prodigy earned his first national call-up. Although his international debut in England got off to a rocky start and led to a brief drop from the side, he bounced back spectacularly in Zimbabwe, anchoring the tour with stand-out scores of 50, 20, and 81.
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'We have watched his videos'
Afghanistan, however, is not taking the young talent lightly. Speaking ahead of the opening fixture, skipper Ibrahim Zadran confirmed his squad has already devised specific strategies to keep the wonder kid in check. Zadran noted that several Afghan teammates shared valuable insights from facing him directly during the IPL, supplemented by extensive video analysis, with the goal of executing a clear, straightforward plan on the field.
“He is an amazing talent. He performed really well in the IPL, and he has been performing across different levels of competitions. We talked about him, and we have that knowledge from the guys who played against him in the IPL. We have watched his videos. We will try to keep it simple for ourselves and will look to execute our plans,” Zadran said in the pre-match press conference.
Despite the buzz surrounding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a spot in India's starting lineup remains in suspense, especially with veteran batter Sanju Samson also vying for inclusion.
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On the opposing side, Zadran enters the series under fresh leadership duties, having taken over the captaincy after the board ousted Rashid Khan following a string of disappointing performances. Emphasizing the weight of his new role, Zadran expressed his focus on staying calm and making sound tactical calls under high-pressure scenarios, framing the position as both an enjoyable challenge and a serious commitment. Confidant in his team's familiarity with local conditions, the Afghan skipper stressed that success will hinge on executing adaptable game plans and focusing on the overall process. By keeping the squad fully committed to giving peak effort on the field, Zadran remains optimistic about delivering a strong, competitive performance throughout the series.