Iyer hints Sooryavanshi could return for third T20I after India seal series
India captain Shreyas Iyer said in Delhi on September 16, 2026 that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be reinstated to the playing XI for the third T20I against Afghanistan on Thursday, as India have already secured the series.
India wrapped up an unassailable 2-0 lead with a seven-wicket victory in the second T20I in Delhi, chasing down Afghanistan’s 159/8 in 14.5 overs, and Iyer indicated the final game could be used to rotate players and give those out of the side match time. “Definitely, we want all of them to get used to the wicket and get some practice, so it will be a good opportunity to give a chance to the guys sitting out,” Iyer said after the match.
Sanju Samson’s return has kept Sooryavanshi out of the XI, but Samson produced a match-changing 57 from 22 balls in the second T20I, hitting seven fours and four sixes as India reached 82/0 in the Powerplay. Abhishek Sharma contributed a rapid 39 from 19 balls before Rashid Khan ended the opening stand, and Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 38 finished the chase with 31 balls to spare.
Sooryavanshi, described in the report as a 15-year-old, made his international debut on the tour of Zimbabwe and was named Player of the Series there; he featured in all three matches in Zimbabwe only after Samson was omitted. Samson and Sooryavanshi have yet to appear together in an India XI, a selection puzzle the management may address for the dead rubber third T20I.
One selection option mentioned in the coverage would be resting Abhishek Sharma and promoting Sooryavanshi to open alongside Samson, though Iyer’s remarks only signal that changes are being considered rather than confirming the XI. The second T20I also featured a notable bowling display from Nitish Kumar Reddy, who returned figures of 3/24 as India restricted Afghanistan to 159/8.
Iyer reflected on his early time as India’s T20I captain, noting previous series defeats against Ireland and England before this win over Afghanistan, and said: “Yes, certainly. It was a tough pill to swallow at the start, but the journey is always going to be a rollercoaster,” adding, “You have to be in equilibrium as much as possible and see to it that you enjoy the moment and not think much about what has happened in the past. I have said it in my previous interviews as well; the more you embrace the situation, the better it gets,”
With the series already decided, the third T20I on Thursday offers opportunities for Sooryavanshi and other squad members to gain international exposure and match practice.
