Teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be line for an appearance on home soil when India face Afghanistan in the third and final T20I on Thursday, September 17. Having already sealed the three-match series with a victory in the second game, Indian captain Shreyas Iyer indicated that the team management intends to rotate the lineup to grant game time to bench players.
Iyer hints at bringing Sooryavanshi into India's playing XI for 3rd T20I vs AFG
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Iyer highlighted the importance of giving the unused squad members valuable match practice and familiarizing them with playing conditions, hinting at both individual rotations and tactical adjustments for the series finale.
"We want all of them to get used to the wicket and the conditions and also get some practice. So it would be a nice game to give opportunities to the players, especially who have been sitting out, and also change a little bit in the combination as well," Iyer said after the match.
Sooryavanshi was omitted from the starting XI following the return of Sanju Samson. Despite securing Player of the Series honors during the preceding tour of Zimbabwe, the 15-year-old had to step aside to accommodate the experienced wicketkeeper-batter.
Remarkably, Sooryavanshi and Samson are yet to feature in the same playing XI. The youngster made his international debut across all three matches in Zimbabwe only after Samson was left out of the side. That dynamic could change in the upcoming fixture, as the duo might pair up at the top of the order if the coaching staff chooses to give first-choice opener Abhishek Sharma a rest.
How did the IND vs AFG 2nd T20I unfold?
Talking about the match, an explosive 22-ball 57 from Sanju Samson propelled India to a decisive seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second T20I, clinching an unassailable 2-0 advantage in the three-match series.
Batting first, Afghanistan were restricted to 159/8, courtesy of disciplined bowling performances from Nitish Kumar Reddy (3/24) and Arshdeep Singh (2/35).
The home side made light work of the 160-run target, reaching 163 for 3 with 31 deliveries remaining to wrap up a dominant chase. Abhishek Sharma laid a blistering foundation with a 19-ball 39 featuring four sixes and two boundaries, while Ishan Kishan provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 38 off 23 balls, striking three fours and two maximums.