# Shreyas Iyer Weighs Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Suryavanshi Before Afghanistan T20 Opener

> Shreyas Iyer faces a selection balancing act before India begin their three-match T20 series against Afghanistan on Sunday. Sanju Samson looked more composed in Friday practice, but an injury to Ishan Kishan could open the door for both Samson and Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-09-12 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/afghanistan-ke-khilapha-udghatana-ti20-se-pahale-shreyas-iyer-ke-samane-sanju-samson-aura-vaibhav-suryavanshi-ka-savala-31482 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** India Afghanistan T20 series, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Asian Games cricket, India cricket team

India’s three-match T20 series against Afghanistan starts on Sunday, but captain Shreyas Iyer already has a difficult first lineup decision. The central question is whether to reward Sanju Samson’s experience or hand Vaibhav Suryavanshi another opportunity. Gautam Gambhir and Iyer must also consider how the choice fits India’s preparations before the Asian Games in Japan, where both batters are in contention for an even look. The answer will shape not only Sunday’s XI but also the combination India carries toward Japan.

## Both batters have already received their chances
During the England trip, Suryavanshi was picked in the playing XI ahead of Samson. The order was reversed for the final match, with Samson getting the nod over Suryavanshi. Samson has also formed a successful T20 pairing with Abhishek Sharma, adding weight to his claim. His omission after three unsuccessful innings looked harsh, even though the team chose Suryavanshi amid growing excitement and public demand. Management has repeatedly maintained that outside voices do not influence its decisions. This reversal shows that neither player’s case has disappeared. Against Afghanistan, however, there is no Bumrah-like bowler, so Suryavanshi should not face the same difficulty even if he cannot use his footwork extensively.

## Friday practice gives Samson a stronger signal
Samson’s batting looked more composed than Suryavanshi’s during Friday’s practice session. Suryavanshi needed time to settle against Jasprit Bumrah because the pitch was assisting the pacer. His difficulty may also reflect an adjustment period after three consecutive red-ball matches. Samson’s composure is an important point in his favour, although one session alone cannot settle the selection debate. Because Suryavanshi has already been selected over Samson on the trip, Friday’s performance has to be weighed alongside that earlier decision rather than read in isolation.

## Ishan’s injury could create room for both
If Ishan Kishan is unable to play the first match, both Samson and Suryavanshi could be included. Ishan suffered a back injury during Friday’s net practice. His scores in the Dileep Trophy final were 270 and 80. He will be eager to play because he has become a regular in this format for India. If Ishan is available, the central Samson-Suryavanshi choice remains; if he is ruled out, India will have room to accommodate both.

## Afghanistan’s attack offers an Asian Games rehearsal
The series is an important and valuable preparation opportunity before the Asian Games in Japan. Afghanistan’s leading spin options include Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq are among the pace bowlers, while Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai offer all-rounder options. This mix of spin, pace and all-round capabilities gives India several combinations to assess. Facing that group will provide a useful test before the team heads into the Asian Games.

## All-rounder trust will shape the bowling lineup
The top-order question is only one part of Gambhir’s selection task. His greater trust in all-rounders makes Axar Patel and Washington Sundar the more likely options. India must then decide whether to use Varun Chakravarthy as the third spinner or give Yash Thakur a place as an additional fast bowler. Choosing Varun would add a third specialist spinner, while selecting Yash would provide another pace option. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will lead the pace group alongside all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.

## Squads for India and Afghanistan
- **India:** Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravi Bishnoi, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Yash Thakur.
- **Afghanistan:** Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Noor ul Rahman, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Nangialia Kharote.

## What this means for you
**Biggest consequence:** The opening match selection will show whether India prefers Samson or Suryavanshi and what batting balance it carries into the Asian Games.

- **Opening-match choice:** Fans will see whether Samson’s experience is rewarded or Suryavanshi returns to the playing XI. The decision will clarify the management’s preference after its changing England selections.
- **Ishan’s availability:** If the back injury from Friday’s net practice rules Ishan Kishan out, both Samson and Suryavanshi could play together. That would alter the batting order and the team’s overall balance.
- **Asian Games rehearsal:** Facing Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will provide a useful test before the Asian Games in Japan. Fans can judge which batting combination India trusts against that spin attack.
- **Bowling balance:** The choice between Varun Chakravarthy as a third spinner and Yash Thakur as an extra seamer will define the attack. It will show whether India pairs Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy with another spinner or another pace option.

## Why this happened
This selection squeeze has emerged from recent opportunities, different practice signals and India’s preparations for the Asian Games. Samson offers experience and a successful T20 pairing with Abhishek Sharma, while Suryavanshi has already been preferred over him during the England trip. Ishan Kishan’s back injury adds another variable.

- **Practice conditions:** Samson looked more composed on Friday, while Suryavanshi needed time to deal with Bumrah’s bowling. Assistance from the pitch and an adjustment period after three consecutive red-ball matches may have contributed to the difference.
- **England selection sequence:** Suryavanshi was first picked ahead of Samson, but Samson received the nod for the final match. That reversal kept both claims alive and made the first T20 selection more difficult.
- **Performance and pressure:** Samson failed across three innings, yet his omission was still considered unfair. Meanwhile, the excitement around Suryavanshi and public demand increased pressure on the management, although it continued to reject outside influence.
- **Asian Games preparation:** Facing Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman before the tournament in Japan provides an important test. India therefore needs a balanced side for the coming combination, not merely for one match.
- **Next step:** Ishan’s availability will determine whether only one of Samson and Suryavanshi plays or both can be included. The final bowling balance will then depend on choosing Varun Chakravarthy as the third spinner or Yash Thakur as an additional seamer.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What is Shreyas Iyer’s main challenge for the first T20 on Sunday?
The main question is whether to choose Sanju Samson or Vaibhav Suryavanshi. If Ishan Kishan cannot play, both could receive an opportunity together.

### 2. Who looked more composed in Friday’s practice?
Sanju Samson appeared more composed than Vaibhav Suryavanshi. That signal favours Samson, although the final decision remains open.

### 3. Why did Suryavanshi need time against Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling?
The pitch was assisting Bumrah’s bowling. Suryavanshi may also have needed time to adjust after three consecutive red-ball matches.

### 4. How did Samson and Suryavanshi receive opportunities during the England trip?
Suryavanshi was selected in the playing XI ahead of Samson. Samson was then preferred over Suryavanshi for the final match.

### 5. When and how did Ishan Kishan suffer his injury?
Ishan suffered a back injury during Friday’s net practice. If he cannot play the first match, both Samson and Suryavanshi could be selected.

### 6. How many runs did Ishan score in the Dileep Trophy final?
Ishan scored 270 and 80 in the Dileep Trophy final. He is a regular in this format for India and will be eager to play.

### 7. Which Afghanistan bowlers pose the main test for India?
Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman lead the spin options. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq provide pace, while Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai offer all-round options.

### 8. What are India’s options for a third spinner or extra seamer?
India can use Varun Chakravarthy as the third spinner. The alternative is to give Yash Thakur a place in the pace attack.

### 9. Which all-rounder options does Gambhir appear likely to prefer?
Gautam Gambhir places greater trust in all-rounders, making Axar Patel and Washington Sundar more likely to play. Nitish Kumar Reddy can support the pace group alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

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