Former India cricketer and commentator Vivek Razdan has backed India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer to retain the number four position and Sanju Samson to open in the first T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.
India face a selection dilemma at the top of the order, with Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Samson and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi among the available options.
Iyer, who bats at number three for Punjab Kings in the IPL, could also be considered for a higher position in the batting order. However, Razdan believes the captain should not change his role for the series opener. Speaking during a press meet organised by Sony Sports, he argued that selection should be based primarily on recent performances rather than simply trying to maintain a left-right combination.
Razdan noted that Abhishek, Kishan and Sooryavanshi are all left-handed batters, but said that should not automatically determine who gets selected. He stressed that India should pick players based on their form and effectiveness, even if that results in several left-handers featuring together. According to him, having a right-handed batter in the top order should not become a selection criterion unless that player has produced performances strong enough to justify his place.
The former India player particularly backed Samson for an opening role, pointing to his recent T20 record. Razdan recalled Samson’s run of more than 300 runs at a strike rate of 200 and said the wicketkeeper-batter’s performances made a strong case for his inclusion at the top of the order. He acknowledged that captains often consider the advantages of alternating left- and right-handed batters, but maintained that individual strengths and performances should remain more important.
India’s top-order combination will be closely watched because of the competition for the opening positions. Sooryavanshi, who is only 15, has emerged as one of the major talking points after making his international debut in England. Iyer is also set to begin his first home series as India’s T20I captain, while Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy have returned to the squad following injury layoffs.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be led by Ibrahim Zadran and will be seeking their first T20I victory over India. The two teams have faced each other nine times in the format, with India winning eight matches and one ending without a result. The opening game in New Delhi will therefore carry particular interest around India’s batting combination, especially the decision on whether Samson, Sooryavanshi or one of the other available openers gets the opportunity at the top.