Vaibhav Sooryavanshi omitted from India XI for third IND vs AFG T20I

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was left out of India’s playing XI for the third T20 International against Afghanistan on September 17, 2026, with India seeking a 3-0 sweep in the three-match series.

India opened the series with a seven-wicket victory in the first game, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s 82, and followed that with another seven-wicket win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium where Sanju Samson produced the match-winning performance. With the series already sealed by India, Sooryavanshi’s continued absence from the XI has become a focal point of discussion.

The decision to omit the 15-year-old batter appears to stem from team combination considerations rather than any injury or fitness issue. India opted for experience in the series opener, and the selectors have maintained that approach through the second match.

Abhishek Sharma has been established as India’s first-choice opener, leaving Sooryavanshi to compete with Sanju Samson for the other opening slot. Samson was dismissed for 10 in the first match before responding with a brutal fifty in the second, and despite expectations of changes for the final game the management retained the same XI.

Sooryavanshi, who was named the Player of the Series in the Zimbabwe series, last appeared in a T20I for India on July 26, 2026, against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club. The teenager has produced notable performances in the shortest format across recent seasons and has been highlighted for his consistency on various platforms.

India are backing their experienced opener and are aiming to get him on track ahead of the upcoming Asian Games contest.