India weigh Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for third T20I as they look to test bench strength in Delhi

India and Afghanistan meet in the third T20I in Delhi on Thursday, with India already having sealed the series 2-0 and considering giving opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a chance as they assess bench strength.

India have produced two seven-wicket wins in three days to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, leaving the final game with limited stakes on the result but opening the possibility of rotation. Shreyas Iyer has hinted at changes, and selectors could use the Delhi fixture to provide game time to players waiting for opportunities.

Afghanistan offered occasional resistance in the opening pair of matches but failed to post defendable totals; Azmatullah Omarzai scored 64 in the first T20I after a top-order collapse, while Ibrahim Zadran's 37 and late cameos from Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan pushed Afghanistan to 159 in the second. India chased both targets comfortably, with Abhishek Sharma setting the tone in the first game and Sanju Samson finishing the second with a 22-ball 57.

Selection choices face a practical constraint because Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are in good form and are regulars in the T20I side, and Samson has been keeping wickets in this series. One straightforward option mentioned is to rest Ishan Kishan and slot Sooryavanshi into the top order; Kishan captained East Zone in the Duleep Trophy before joining the India squad.

Beyond the top order, India may also consider giving Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma more time in the middle order, since the top three have scored quickly in the first two matches and limited chances for other batters. The third T20I is presented as an opportunity to test depth and provide match exposure to players outside the current playing XI.

India's bowling has shown balance across the two wins, with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh making an impact and Nitish Kumar Reddy adding another useful bowling option to the attack. Washington Sundar has yet to feature in the series and Yash Thakur has been mentioned as a possible contender for selection.

For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the Delhi game could be another opportunity to add to his growing international experience; whether he features will be decided ahead of the third and final T20I in Delhi on Thursday and will reflect the changes Shreyas Iyer has signalled for the match.