The big question is whether India will go with the fearless batting of ‘Boy Wonder’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or rely on the experience and flair of Sanju Samson.
Samson or Sooryavanshi: A difficult call
Sooryavanshi was picked in the playing XI during India’s England tour at the expense of Samson. However, by the final match of the series, the 15-year-old had to make way for the senior batter’s return.
It is not a straightforward decision for the team management. Samson and Abhishek Sharma form a more settled T20I opening pair and have done fairly well together.
However, India would ideally want to give both Samson and Sooryavanshi enough opportunities before finalising the team for the Asian Games in Japan.
A series with financial value for Afghanistan
At a time when bilateral series are losing context with the passage of time, the BCCI has decided to help its friendly neighbour through a “home away from home series”.
The broadcast money, gate sales and share of the in-stadia rights are expected to provide significant financial benefits to the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
India squad
Sheryas Iyer (captain), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryvanshi, Yash Thakur, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi.
Afghanistan squad
Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Darwish Rasooli, Noor ul Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangeliya Kharote, Abdollah Amhedzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed.
