New Delhi [India], September 12 (ANI): Former India cricketer and famend commentator Vivek Razdan has backed India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer to stay at quantity 4 and Sanju Samson to open the innings within the first T20I in opposition to Afghanistan, scheduled for Sunday in New Delhi.
India will start their three-match T20I collection in opposition to Afghanistan on the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with a variety dilemma on the high of the order because of the presence of 4 opening choices — Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Samson and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Iyer, who bats at quantity three for Punjab Kings within the IPL, is another choice within the high order, however Razdan believes the India captain shouldn’t alter his place for the collection opener.
‘I feel Shreyas shouldn’t change his quantity in the intervening time. He ought to stay at quantity 4. Because for the highest 3, you have already got 4 names. You have Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Ishaan Kishan, however all three are left-handers. You have already got many left-handers in your workforce. One must be included within the enjoying XI simply because he’s a right-hander – no! I don’t agree with that in any respect,’ mentioned Razdan.
Razdan, who was talking throughout a press meet organised by Sony Sports forward of the opening T20I, mentioned a participant’s efficiency ought to take priority over the left-right mixture within the batting order.
‘Who is that batsman? How has his efficiency been? This is essential. So, if I do not need a right-hander who has carried out like this, then I’ll say you’ll be able to play seven left-handers. Performance is the important thing. It is rarely an issue that you simply play along with your left hand or proper hand,’ he mentioned.
The former India participant then made a case for Samson to open, pointing to the wicketkeeper-batter’s current performances in T20 cricket.
Talking about Samson, he mentioned, ‘You have a participant who, just some months in the past, made greater than 300 runs with a strike price of 200 and gained us the World Cup. So, he’s an excellent participant.’
Razdan acknowledged that captains typically contemplate sustaining a left-right mixture however felt Samson’s performances warranted his inclusion on the high of the order.
‘As a captain, generally you consider that left-right mixture in batting. If all of the left-handers play, it will likely be straightforward for his or her opponent to play the sport holding the identical line. Now, each participant has his personal significance, his personal speciality, his personal energy. So, I really feel that whereas going to the primary match, it’s best to nonetheless play with Sanju Samson,’ he mentioned.
India’s top-order choice can be intently watched, with Abhishek, Kishan and Sooryavanshi additionally in competition for the opening slots. Sooryavanshi, 15, not too long ago made his worldwide debut in England and has emerged as one of many speaking factors forward of the collection.
The opening T20I will even mark Iyer’s first residence collection as India’s captain. Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy have returned after damage layoffs and are a part of the squad.
Afghanistan, in the meantime, can be led by Ibrahim Zadran and can be on the lookout for their first T20I victory over India. The two sides have met 9 instances within the format, with India profitable eight and one match ending and not using a outcome.
India’s T20I squad: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur.
Afghanistan’s T20I squad: Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Noor Rahman (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Watch the India tour of Afghanistan 2026 – Afghanistan vs India – 1st T20 on September 13, 2026, from 7:30 PM IST, reside on Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD. (ANI)