Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson: Key Players for India's T20I Opener Against Afghanistan

As India prepares for its T20I series against Afghanistan, former cricketer Vivek Razdan emphasizes the importance of Shreyas Iyer maintaining his number four position while advocating for Sanju Samson to open the innings. With a selection dilemma at the top of the order, the match promises to be a thrilling encounter. Razdan highlights the significance of player performance over batting combinations, making a strong case for Samson's inclusion. The upcoming match marks Iyer's first home series as captain, and both teams are eager for a strong showing. Tune in for all the action!

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 12, 2026, 15:41 IST

Iyer and Samson's Roles in Upcoming T20I

Vivek Razdan, a former Indian cricketer and well-known commentator, has expressed his support for Shreyas Iyer to maintain his position at number four in the batting order, while advocating for Sanju Samson to take the opening spot in the first T20I against Afghanistan, set to take place this Sunday in New Delhi. The match will kick off a three-match T20I series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where India faces a selection challenge with four potential openers: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Samson, and the young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is just 15 years old.

Razdan's Insights on Batting Order

"I believe Shreyas should stick to his number four position for now. The top three already have four contenders: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Ishan Kishan, all of whom are left-handed. Having too many left-handers in the lineup is not ideal. A right-hander should not be included just for the sake of balance," Razdan stated.

Prioritizing Performance Over Combinations

During a press conference organized by Sony Sports ahead of the T20I, Razdan emphasized that a player's performance should take precedence over the left-right batting combination. He remarked, "The key question is: Who is the batsman, and how has he performed? If a right-hander isn't performing well, I wouldn't hesitate to field seven left-handers. Performance is what matters most, not whether a player bats left or right."

Razdan also highlighted Samson's impressive recent T20 performances, advocating for him to open the innings. He noted, "Samson recently scored over 300 runs at a strike rate of 200 and played a crucial role in our World Cup victory. He is an exceptional player."

Team Selection and Match Preview

The selection of India's top order will be under scrutiny, with Abhishek, Kishan, and Sooryavanshi all vying for the opening positions. Sooryavanshi, who made his international debut in England, has generated considerable interest ahead of the series. This T20I will also mark Iyer's first home series as captain of India. Additionally, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy have returned to the squad after recovering from injuries.

On the other hand, Afghanistan will be captained by Ibrahim Zadran, aiming for their first T20I win against India. Historically, the two teams have faced each other nine times in T20Is, with India winning eight matches and one ending without a result.

Squads for the T20I Series

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.

Broadcast Information

Catch the India vs. Afghanistan T20I match on September 13, 2026, starting at 7:30 PM IST, live on Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD.