India weigh three changes for third T20I against Afghanistan
India have already sealed the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan after winning the first two games, a development reported on 16 September 2026. With the series result decided, India are expected to experiment with their XI for the third T20I.
The first two matches produced comfortable victories for India, with the opening game won easily before a forced alteration to the combination ahead of the second encounter. Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy were noted as standout performers across the first two fixtures. Both of India’s victories in the series came by a margin of 7 wickets, giving the management scope to explore alternatives in the final match. Several players who were unused in the opening fixtures are therefore likely to be considered for selection in the dead rubber.
One of the most discussed tweaks concerns the top order, where Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a candidate to be given an opportunity. Abhishek Sharma’s strong form is acknowledged, but the piece states he is competing for a slot with Sanju Samson. The article notes Samson produced a stunning innings in the second T20I, and suggests India might rest Abhishek and pair Sooryavanshi with Samson at the top should the selectors opt to trial a different opening combination.
On the pace-bowling front, Yash Thakur is available after being named as Harshit Rana’s replacement following Rana’s pre-series injury, and Thakur has previously made his debut against Zimbabwe. The report indicates Jasprit Bumrah’s workload is a management concern and that Bumrah could be rested for the third T20I, with Thakur a potential stand-in. It adds that Bumrah’s workload management is being considered ahead of the Asian Games tournament.
Washington Sundar is also listed as a possible inclusion owing to his dual skills with bat and ball. The article states Sundar has returned from injury but did not feature so far in the series and could replace one of the three all-rounders named in the first two playing XIs. The report frames a full match for Sundar as useful preparation before the Asian Games.
The piece confirms Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been added to the Indian squad and states he is likely to play for India in the Asian Games. It also specifies that Washington Sundar did not play in the first and second T20Is against Afghanistan because of "Team Combination Decisions and preferred playing XIs."
The third T20I therefore offers India a final chance to test personnel and combinations ahead of their next commitments, with the game being positioned as an opportunity to fine-tune selections prior to the Asian Games and the subsequent series against the West Indies and New Zealand.