Samson was benched at the expense of Sooryavanshi during the tour of England in July.
Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has advocated for continuity in India's top order for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, starting September 13 in New Delhi.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rahane stated that the Men in Blue should stick with the T20 World Cup-winning top-three combination of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan.
While acknowledging the immense potential of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Rahane believes the 15-year-old prodigy should wait for his opportunity rather than being rushed into the playing XI.
“For me, I feel the top three who played in the World Cup. I think they should be the top three. Sanju Samson did very well. After that he was dropped. Two, or perhaps two or three innings, went badly for him, and after that he was dropped. But I want Sanju Samson to get another opportunity,” Rahane said.
“Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who did well for us, should also play. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will get his chance. His opportunity will come. His time will come,” he added.
While Samson was the Player-of-the-Tournament in India’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, he has struggled for consistency since then. After four chances on the tour of UK, the wicketkeeper-batter was benched as Sooryavanshi made his historic debut against England.
Sooryavanshi failed to make a mark in his debut series, but he earned the Player-of-the-Series award in the subsequent three-T20I tour of Zimbabwe, where Samson wasn’t part of the squad.
Rahane advised the teenage sensation to play with complete freedom and avoid making premature tactical changes to his natural style at this stage of his career.
“I feel that right now he should play his game, the same game because of which he came into the Indian team. He should back that same game. It is a very early stage for him, early in his career in international cricket, so for the time being he doesn’t need to think too much,” Rahane stated.
“You should leave him free. As you keep playing, one year, two years, after that your game will gradually change. But for the time being, the game that has helped him come here, I think he should play exactly that same game,” he remarked.
With the three-match series against Afghanistan commencing on September 13 in New Delhi, the Indian team management's final call will signal whether they prefer immediate veteran reliability or investment in raw, youthful exuberance ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.