AFG vs IND 3rd T20I: Sooryavanshi waits for Indian bench to take center stage

India have already wrapped up the T20I series against Afghanistan, but the final match in Delhi still has plenty of intrigue. After seven successive wickets, the focus now shifts to the strength of India’s bench and whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will finally get his much-awaited chance on home soil.

The result may not be up for debate, but the Indian team selection certainly is, with several players waiting for an opportunity. After the second T20I, captain Shreyas Iyer hinted that the management might rotate to give these players some much needed time in the middle.

“We definitely want everyone to get used to the wicket and get some practice so it will be a good opportunity to give the guys who are sitting a chance,” Iyer said.

Naturally, this comment put Sooryavanshi squarely in the middle of the conversation. The 15-year-old was India’s player of the series in Zimbabwe, where he played all three T20Is, but the return of Sanju Samson kept him out during the Afghanistan series.

Samson, meanwhile, made a fairly strong case for keeping his seat after smashing 57 off just 22 balls in the second T20I. Abhishek Sharma was also part of India’s preferred opening combination, meaning Sooryavanshi’s inclusion would require the management to mix things up rather than simply making a similar change.

The Indian selection puzzle also has other pieces. Washington Sundar is yet to appear in the serial, Yash Thakur might get another opportunity and India have already lost Varun Chakravarthy to the side tensionwhich gives management another reason to look beyond the combination that comfortably won the series.

With nothing left to settle in the series order, Delhi could therefore become a testing ground for India’s next set of questions. India could even go in with four specialist bowlers and ask their batting to compensate for the reduced batting depth, making the T20I final more useful than just another chance to add a win.

IS IT FINALLY SOORYAVANSHI TIME?

That’s the question that has followed Sooryavanshi ever since Samson returned to the team, and the third T20I offers perhaps the most natural opportunity to finally provide an answer. The teenager has already experienced international cricket during the Zimbabwe tour, but playing in front of a home crowd would add another interesting chapter to his rapid rise.

The complication is that India’s current opening pair has given the management very little reason to manipulate it. Samson’s explosive second T20I innings and Abhishek’s ability to attack from the get-go means India will have to get creative if they want Sooryavanshi and the two established openers in the playing XI.

Iyer’s comments suggest the door is open for changes, although they stop short of confirming the youngster’s selection. If India gives him a chance, Sooryavanshi could also become the youngest player from a full country to play international cricket for India.

CAN AFGHANISTAN GET IT’S PRIDE BACK?

Afghanistan’s task is considerably simpler. They know the series is gone but will want to avoid leaving Delhi with another one-sided defeat after India dominated both matches by seven wickets.

Ibrahim Zadran had a tough start to his captaincy against India, while Afghanistan will want more from Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the top. Azmatullah Omarzai has looked among their more assured batsmen and could be moved up the order rather than being left to repair the innings after the damage has already been done.

Their bowling combination could also come under scrutiny. Afghanistan have some quality spinners but could benefit from another pace option, especially if Naveen-ul-Haq is fit enough to return and Fazalhaq Farooqi continues to be used differently with the new ball.

Rashid Khan also has his personal landmark within touching distance, with the star all-rounder needing four wickets to complete 200 T20I wickets.

TIME FOR INDIAN BENCH STRENGTH?

For India, the last T20I is less about finding answers to a problem and more about asking different questions. Washington, Thakur and Sooryavanshi are among the players who could use the opportunity to gain valuable playing time as the management looks at combinations beyond their first choice.

One particularly interesting experiment would be to play with four specialist bowlers, moving away from the all-rounder and heavy balance that India have regularly employed. It would show how the batting unit reacts when the lower order is lower, especially against an Afghanistan attack containing Rashid and other quality spinners.

India also have the power firmly on their side, having won the last five completed T20Is. Afghanistan’s recent record is more uneven, with two wins and three defeats in the last five games played.

AFG vs IND, 3rd T20I: PITCH CONDITIONS

The Arun Jaitley Stadium should once again provide an inviting surface for the batsmen, with compact boundaries adding further impetus to the attack. The pitch is expected to reward clean hitting, while the spinners can still impress if they vary the pace and use the conditions effectively.

Some weather activity is developing in northwest India, although the risk of rain in Delhi remains moderate. Barring an unexpected change, conditions should allow both teams to complete the series.

AFG vs IND, 3rd T20I: TEAM NEWS

India will be without Varun Chakravarthy after his side strain ruled him out of the third T20I as well as the Asian Games. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar remain options in the spin department, while the management has several players to bring into the XI after the series closes.

Iyer’s comments point towards the spin and list Sooryavanshi and Yash Thakur as names to watch. Washington could also make his first appearance in the series as India assess their options ahead of a busy season.

Afghanistan could make changes of their own, especially in the pace department. Naveen-ul-Haq’s fitness will be an important factor, while the visitors may try to balance their attack with another fast bowler instead of relying so much on their spin resources.

AFG vs IND, 3rd T20I: PREDICTED XI

India predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson/Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan/Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi/Yash Thakur, Arsh. S. Bumrah, Arsh.

Afghanistan predicts XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Sediqullah Atal, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman/Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad/hmad Fardib Faz

AFG vs IND 3rd T20I LIVESTREAMING: WHERE TO WATCH IN INDIA

The third T20I between India and Afghanistan will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, September 17, with the match scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST. The toss will take place at 19:00 IST, with India already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

For viewers in India, the match will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network, while fans can stream the game live on the FanCode app and website.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

17 Sep 2026 11:12 IST