New Delhi: Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could finally get his opportunity for India in the third T20I against Afghanistan after captain Shreyas Iyer indicated that the team will use its bench strength in the final match of the series.
India have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series after defeating Afghanistan by seven wickets in the second match on Tuesday. With the series result settled, Iyer said India would look to give opportunities to players who have been waiting on the sidelines.
The third T20I is scheduled to be played on Thursday, and the captain’s comments have increased expectations that 15-year-old Sooryavanshi could be included in the playing XI.
Shreyas Iyer hints at changes for third T20I
Speaking after India’s second consecutive victory, Iyer said the team wanted all members of the squad to become familiar with the conditions and get some match practice.
“Definitely, we want all of them to get used to the wicket and get some practice, so it will be a good opportunity to give a chance to the guys sitting out,” Iyer said.
The statement points towards possible changes for the final T20I.
With India having already secured the series, the management has greater scope to rotate players and assess members of the squad who have not featured in the first two matches.
Sooryavanshi is among the players who could benefit from the approach.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi awaits T20I opportunity
The 15-year-old has attracted considerable attention since breaking into India’s senior setup.
Sooryavanshi’s presence in the squad has created interest around the opening combination, particularly with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma being used at the top of the order in the first two T20Is.
The teenager was not included in India’s playing XI for either of the opening two matches.
In the first T20I, Samson and Abhishek opened the innings. The combination was retained for the second match, where Samson responded with an explosive 57 off just 22 balls.
However, with India already holding an unassailable advantage, the third match presents an opportunity to assess another combination.
Iyer’s comments suggest that giving match practice to players on the bench is now a consideration for the team management.
India seal series with dominant second T20I win
India entered the second T20I having won the opening match of the series.
The team produced another comprehensive performance on Tuesday, defeating Afghanistan by seven wickets and taking a 2-0 lead.
Samson was one of the main contributors with the bat, smashing 57 from 22 deliveries. His aggressive innings provided India with a rapid start in the chase.
All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy also played a key role with the ball, returning figures of 3-0-24-3.
The combined performance allowed India to complete another convincing victory and seal the three-match series with one game still remaining.
The result has now given the team an opportunity to look beyond the immediate series outcome and assess its wider squad.
Captain Iyer reflects on difficult start
The Afghanistan series is also significant for Iyer personally as he seeks to establish himself as India’s T20I captain.
Iyer took over the leadership role after India became T20 world champions for a record third time in March this year.
His captaincy stint began with difficult results, including a 0-2 defeat against Ireland and a 1-4 series loss to England.
India’s current 2-0 advantage over Afghanistan represents his first series victory as T20I captain.
Reflecting on the beginning of his captaincy tenure, Iyer admitted that the early results had been difficult to accept.
“It was a tough pill to swallow at the start, but the journey is always going to be a rollercoaster,” Iyer said.
He added that maintaining equilibrium and embracing the circumstances were important for him and the team.
Iyer stresses importance of maintaining balance
The Indian captain said players should avoid dwelling too much on previous results and instead focus on the situation in front of them.
He emphasised the importance of enjoying the moment and maintaining the right balance during the ups and downs of an international career.
The comments came after India delivered the type of performance the team had been demanding following the opening T20I.
Iyer said the side wanted a comprehensive performance in the second match and was pleased with the way the players responded.
The victory subsequently allowed India to secure the series and created room for experimentation in the final game.
Opportunity for players waiting on the sidelines
A change in India’s playing XI would allow the team management to assess players who have not yet had an opportunity during the series.
For Sooryavanshi, that could mean a first appearance in India’s senior T20I side.
The teenager’s inclusion would also attract considerable attention because of his age and the expectations surrounding his batting ability.
However, Iyer’s comments indicate that the broader objective is to give players match exposure rather than focusing solely on one individual.
The captain specifically referred to giving opportunities to players who have been sitting out and ensuring that members of the squad get accustomed to the playing conditions.
Nitish Reddy continues to impress
While discussions around Sooryavanshi have dominated the selection conversation, Nitish Kumar Reddy emerged as another important talking point after the second T20I.
The all-rounder returned impressive figures of 3 for 24 and spoke about his development as a bowler after working on his pace at the Centre of Excellence.
Reddy said he felt comfortable with the pace he had developed and credited the work done at the Centre of Excellence.
He also spoke about his ambition to become a complete all-rounder and said additional pace was an important part of his development.
His progress provides India with another option as the team continues to develop its T20I combination.
Afghanistan look to improve after another defeat
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran acknowledged that his team had struggled during the second match, particularly in the powerplay.
He credited India’s bowlers for putting pressure on the Afghan batting line-up and said his side needed to improve its approach.
Zadran said Afghanistan needed to turn scores in the 150-160 range into totals of 200 or more if it wanted to challenge leading international teams.
He also noted that Afghanistan had played only its second match of the year and expected the team to improve with more international cricket.
Third T20I offers chance to test combinations
With the series already decided, the final T20I offers India an opportunity to examine different combinations without the immediate pressure of a series result.
The team could rotate some established players and provide valuable international exposure to members of the squad who have been waiting for their chance.
For Sooryavanshi, the prospect of making his first appearance has become one of the key talking points ahead of the match.
Iyer’s comments do not name the teenager specifically, but his reference to giving opportunities to players sitting out provides a clear indication that changes are being considered.
The final team selection will ultimately confirm whether Sooryavanshi gets his opportunity.
Focus shifts from series result to squad development
India’s 2-0 series lead has already settled the main result, allowing attention to shift towards preparation and player development.
For the management, the third T20I can provide useful information about players outside the current first-choice combination.
For the players on the bench, it represents an opportunity to gain valuable match experience at international level.
For Sooryavanshi in particular, the final game could mark an important step in his young career if he is named in the playing XI.
With Iyer signalling India’s intention to provide opportunities to the players who have not featured, all eyes will now be on the team sheet ahead of the third T20I.