IND vs AFG: Will Vaibhav Suryavanshi Finally Get a Chance in the Third T20I? Sanju Samson’s Comments Explain the Situation

Suryavanshi has remained on the bench during the first two matches, while Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have formed India’s opening combination. After Samson’s explosive performance in the second T20I, questions have naturally emerged about whether the team will make room for the young batter in the final match.

What Did Sanju Samson Say About Suryavanshi?

After smashing 57 runs from just 22 balls in the second T20I, Samson spoke about the challenge of competing for a place in the Indian team.

He acknowledged that Suryavanshi is an exceptionally talented young player and said he understands the kind of decisions the team management has to make when several players are performing well.

Samson also referred to his own experience, explaining that he had performed well around the T20 World Cup and IPL before Suryavanshi produced outstanding performances. According to Samson, he understands the thinking involved when a player has a few quiet matches while another player is performing strongly.

His comments highlighted the competitive nature of selection at the international level.

Will Suryavanshi Play the Third T20I?

Suryavanshi did not feature in either of the first two T20Is. With both Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson contributing strongly at the top of the order, changing the opening combination for the third match could be difficult.

The third T20I is also India’s final match before the Asian Games, where Suryavanshi is part of the squad. That could potentially provide the team management with an opportunity to give him some international exposure before the tournament.

However, if India decides to retain the same opening combination, Suryavanshi could remain on the bench.

A Change in India’s Asian Games Squad

There has also been a change to India’s Asian Games squad.

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out after suffering an injury during the first T20I against Afghanistan. Uttar Pradesh leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam has been named as his replacement.

India’s Asian Games Squad

India’s squad for the Asian Games includes:

• Abhishek Sharma

• Sanju Samson

• Ishan Kishan

• Shivam Dube

• Nitish Kumar Reddy

• Axar Patel

• Washington Sundar

• Vipraj Nigam

• Ravi Bishnoi

• Jasprit Bumrah

• Yash Thakur

• Arshdeep Singh

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi

The Selection Question Before the Third T20I

Suryavanshi’s inclusion in the Asian Games squad has already generated considerable interest, but his lack of playing time in the Afghanistan series means the third T20I could be another important selection decision for India.

With Abhishek and Samson both contributing at the top of the order, the team has a settled opening combination at present. Whether the management chooses to maintain that combination or gives the teenage batter an opportunity will be one of the key talking points before Thursday’s match.