India have already secured the T20I series against Afghanistan, but the final game in Delhi still carries plenty of interest. After registering consecutive seven-wicket victories, attention now turns to India's bench strength and whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will finally receive his long-awaited opportunity on home turf.
While the series result is settled, India's team combination remains a talking point, with several players waiting for a chance. After the second T20I, captain Shreyas Iyer indicated that the management could rotate the squad to give those players valuable time in the middle.
“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.
The remark has naturally brought Sooryavanshi into focus. The 15-year-old was India's Player of the Series in Zimbabwe after featuring in all three T20Is, but Sanju Samson's return has meant that he has remained on the bench during the Afghanistan series.
Samson, meanwhile, has strengthened his claim for another opportunity after hammering 57 off only 22 deliveries in the second T20I. Abhishek Sharma has also been part of India's preferred opening combination, meaning bringing Sooryavanshi into the XI would require the management to alter the existing setup rather than make a straightforward replacement.
India have other selection decisions to make as well. Washington Sundar has not played a match in the series, Yash Thakur could receive another opportunity, while Varun Chakravarthy's side strain has ruled him out. These factors could encourage the management to experiment with a combination different from the one that has comfortably secured the series.
With the series standings already decided, the Delhi match could serve as an opportunity for India to explore several possibilities. The team could even field four specialist bowlers and expect the batting unit to manage with less depth, making the final T20I an important exercise rather than simply another opportunity to record a victory.
IS IT FINALLY SOORYAVANSHI TIME?
The question of Sooryavanshi's inclusion has persisted since Samson returned to the squad, and the third T20I could provide the clearest opportunity yet to give the youngster a game. He has already made his international debut during the Zimbabwe tour, but appearing before a home crowd would mark another significant moment in his rapid development.
The challenge is that India's existing opening combination has provided little reason for a change. Samson's explosive innings in the second T20I and Abhishek's aggressive approach at the top mean the management would need to find a way to accommodate Sooryavanshi alongside the two established openers.
Iyer's comments indicate that changes are possible, although he did not specifically confirm that Sooryavanshi would play. Should India select him, the teenager could also become the youngest player from a Full-Member nation to feature in international cricket in India.
CAN AFGHANISTAN EARN BACK PRIDE?
Afghanistan's objective is straightforward. Although the series has already slipped away, they will be looking to avoid another heavy defeat in Delhi after India won the opening two matches by seven wickets.
Ibrahim Zadran has had a challenging start to his captaincy against India, while Afghanistan will expect greater contributions from Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the top of the order. Azmatullah Omarzai has been one of their more reliable batters and could potentially be promoted rather than being left to rebuild the innings after early setbacks.
Their bowling combination could also be reassessed. Afghanistan possess several strong spin options but may benefit from adding another pace bowler, particularly if Naveen-ul-Haq is fit to return and Fazalhaq Farooqi continues in a different role with the new ball.
Rashid Khan also has a personal milestone approaching, with the star all-rounder four wickets away from reaching 200 T20I wickets.
TIME FOR INDIA'S BENCH STRENGTH?
For India, the final T20I is primarily an opportunity to explore alternatives rather than address a weakness. Washington Sundar, Yash Thakur and Sooryavanshi are among those who could receive valuable match practice as the management experiments with combinations beyond the preferred XI.
One possible experiment could see India field four specialist bowlers instead of relying on an all-rounder-heavy combination. Such a setup would provide an indication of how the batting unit performs with less lower-order cover, particularly against an Afghanistan attack featuring Rashid and other quality spinners.
India also enter the match with strong momentum, having won their last five completed T20Is. Afghanistan have had a mixed run, recording two wins and three losses in their previous five completed matches.
AFG vs IND, 3RD T20I: PITCH CONDITIONS
The Arun Jaitley Stadium is again expected to offer a surface conducive to batting, with its relatively short boundaries encouraging attacking cricket. The pitch should reward clean strokeplay, while spinners could remain effective by varying their pace and making good use of the conditions.
Weather activity is developing over north-western India, but the possibility of rain in Delhi remains moderate. Unless conditions change unexpectedly, both teams should have a good chance of completing the match.
AFG vs IND, 3RD T20I: TEAM NEWS
India will be without Varun Chakravarthy, whose side strain has ruled him out of the third T20I and the Asian Games. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar remain available as spin options, while the management has several players it can bring into the side after sealing the series.
Iyer's comments suggest that rotation could be on the cards, putting Sooryavanshi and Yash Thakur among the players to watch. Washington could also make his first appearance of the series as India assess their options for the matches ahead.
Afghanistan could also make changes, especially to their pace attack. Naveen-ul-Haq's fitness will be a key consideration, while the visitors could add another fast bowler to create a more balanced attack rather than depending predominantly on their spinners.
AFG vs IND, 3RD T20I: PREDICTED XI
India Predicted XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson/Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan/Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi/Yash Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
Afghanistan Predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Sediqullah Atal, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman/Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi/Abdollah Ahmadzai
AFG vs IND, 3RD T20I LIVESTREAMING: WHERE TO WATCH IN INDIA
The third India-Afghanistan T20I will take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday, September 17. The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm IST, with the toss taking place at 7:00 pm IST. India already have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
In India, the match will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network. Fans will also be able to stream it live through the FanCode app and website.
