The three-T20I series is slated to get underway on September 13 in Delhi.
Team India face a major selection dilemma for the opening combination ahead of the three-T20I series against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
With three highly capable top-order options available in Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the team management has kept their final decision strictly under wraps.
Addressing the media on the eve of the first T20I, India skipper Shreyas Iyer didn’t reveal his cards, admitting that it would be a tough call and the final decision would be made later.
“All three of them (Abhishek, Sanju and Sooryavanshi), having them in the team is a luxury first of all, and they are flawless in their own departments. Well, it is going to be a tight call because they have been performing consistently. And see, whoever gets the opportunity, it's definitely for the team's benefit,” Iyer told reporters on Saturday (September 12).
“And the player sitting outside, it's important that I have an interaction with him, along with the coach and give them that confidence. That you know what, no matter what, you will get your opportunity when the day comes,” he added.
Sooryavanshi was the Player-of-the-Series in India’s last T20I assignment against Zimbabwe. However, the 15-year-old got to open in all three games alongside Abhishek because Samson was rested for the tour.
Earlier, the team management faced backlash for the mishandling of Samson and Sooryavanshi during the tour of UK. Both of them got three chances each and were dropped owing to poor performances.
Samson played two T20Is against Ireland and the first match against England before being benched, while the teenager featured in the second, third and fourth T20Is against the Harry Brook-led side. The wicketkeeper-batter made his way back for the final game but was then rested for the Zimbabwe tour.
Shreyas Iyer also confirmed that Ishan Kishan is fit and ready to participate in the series opener against Afghanistan.
Kishan suffered a back sprain while ducking awkwardly to evade a sharp bouncer from net bowler Navdeep Saini during India’s training session on Friday. The southpaw felt immediate discomfort, abandoned his batting session, and stayed under the observation of India's team physio, Kamlesh Jain.
“I feel that he is comfortable at the moment. I interacted with him after the practice session. It was just a small niggle, and he has been playing continuous cricket. We all know the knock he played in the Duleep Trophy. So, definitely a bit fatigued. But today he got that rest, and I am sure that he will be fine for tomorrow,” Iyer remarked.