India will look to take an unassailable lead in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan when the two sides meet in the second game at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.
After winning the opening match, India have the opportunity to go 2-0 up, but attention is likely to centre on the team management’s decision over the second opening slot. Abhishek Sharma appears certain to retain his place at the top of the order, while Sanju Samson and teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remain the two options for the other opening position. The selection call will be closely watched after Samson was preferred over Sooryavanshi in the first T20I, leaving the youngster on the bench.
Sooryavanshi’s omission from the opening XI was one of the major talking points ahead of the series. The young batter has emerged as an exciting option at the top of the order, but the team management opted for Samson alongside Abhishek in the first match. Samson therefore got the opportunity to open, while Sooryavanshi had to wait for his chance from the sidelines. With India already holding a 1-0 lead, the second match presents another opportunity for the management to assess its preferred combination. However, changing the opening pair after a winning performance could also carry its own considerations, particularly with the side seeking another victory to seal the series.
Abhishek is expected to continue as one of India’s openers after retaining his position in the first T20I. The uncertainty surrounds the identity of his partner. Samson brings experience and the ability to contribute in multiple batting positions, while Sooryavanshi represents a younger option who has attracted considerable attention with his aggressive approach. The decision will ultimately rest with captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir, who must balance the need for consistency with the opportunity to give the young batter a game. The second T20I could therefore become an important selection test for the Indian management even if the overall result of the first match has already given the team an advantage.
For Samson, another opportunity at the top would allow him to build on the confidence of being selected ahead of Sooryavanshi in the series opener. The wicketkeeper-batter has experience of international cricket and has regularly featured in discussions surrounding India’s T20 batting combinations. His ability to adapt to different roles gives the management flexibility when constructing the middle and top order. At the same time, keeping Sooryavanshi out for another match could mean delaying the youngster’s opportunity to make an impact in the series. With India already one win away from securing the series, the team could potentially consider whether maintaining the same combination or introducing a change would be more beneficial.
The match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium will also provide India with an opportunity to assess how the batting unit performs under home conditions. A strong start from the openers can be particularly important in T20 cricket, where the first few overs can influence the scoring rate and shape the remainder of an innings. Abhishek’s place appears secure, leaving the focus firmly on whether Samson gets another opportunity or Sooryavanshi makes his entry into the playing XI. The latter option would give India a chance to test the youngster against Afghanistan in an international setting, while retaining Samson would allow the management to continue with a combination that already contributed to a winning start.
India’s immediate objective will be to win the second T20I and wrap up the three-match series, but the selection decision could have implications beyond Tuesday’s game. The management will have to assess what combination provides the best balance while also considering the development of Sooryavanshi and the experience offered by Samson. Gambhir and Iyer therefore face a significant call at the top of the order. Whether they retain Samson alongside Abhishek or hand Sooryavanshi his opportunity will be one of the key talking points before the toss. A second successive victory would give India the series, while the chosen opening combination could offer further clues about the team’s plans for the remainder of the contest.