Dinesh Karthik Questions Sanju Samson’s Role Ahead of Afghanistan T20I

Sanju Samson’s place in India’s T20I XI has come under fresh scrutiny ahead of the first match of the three-game Afghanistan series. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has questioned the team management over how it plans to accommodate Samson with Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi also competing for batting positions.

India begin their Afghanistan assignment on Sunday, September 13, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The series will give the new-look Indian T20I setup another opportunity to establish a clear identity after an inconsistent run against Ireland and England followed by a series victory over Zimbabwe.

For Samson, the return to the squad provides another opportunity after a difficult recent stretch in T20I cricket. He was removed from the playing XI during the England series and subsequently left out of the squad for the Zimbabwe tour before being recalled for the Afghanistan matches.

Dinesh Karthik asks where Sanju Samson fits

Karthik’s biggest question is not simply whether Samson deserves another opportunity. Instead, he wants to know how India can fit the experienced batter into a top order that already contains two players in strong form.

India have Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi available alongside Samson. That creates an important selection dilemma because all three can be considered for positions near the top of the batting order.

Karthik believes the management needs to provide clarity over Samson’s role rather than leaving his position uncertain from one series to another. He also pointed out that Samson had previously been considered an important player in India’s T20 setup.

The former wicketkeeper’s question is particularly relevant because India need to balance current form with their longer-term plans. Giving opportunities to young players is important, but experienced performers such as Samson also need a clearly defined role if they are part of the squad.

Samson returns after difficult England and Zimbabwe phases

Samson’s recent T20I journey has been uneven. He was dropped from the playing XI midway through the England series and then did not feature in India’s squad for the Zimbabwe series.

His omission was followed by the emergence of younger batting options, increasing the competition for places in India’s top order.

Now that Samson has returned for the Afghanistan series, the management must decide whether to immediately restore him to the XI or continue with the players who have recently performed well.

The decision becomes even more complicated because Samson has scored only 33 runs across his last four T20Is, including matches against Ireland and England. That record gives the selectors a clear reason to consider alternatives, while his previous importance to the side gives them a reason to keep backing him.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi adds another selection challenge

The presence of Vaibhav Suryavanshi makes India’s selection puzzle even more interesting. The young batter has recently made a strong impression and has shown that he can compete for a place despite his limited international experience.

Suryavanshi’s performances during the Zimbabwe series strengthened his case. He was named Player of the Series after scoring more than 200 runs across the three-match contest.

That form means the management cannot simply ignore him when selecting the opening combination. At the same time, India must decide how much responsibility to give a young player while also managing the roles of established batters.

The Afghanistan series therefore represents more than another three-match T20I assignment. It could help India determine whether Suryavanshi is part of the immediate first-choice combination or whether the team wants to continue developing him gradually.

Abhishek Sharma is also in the equation

Abhishek Sharma further complicates the situation. The left-handed batter has already established himself as an important option at the top of India’s T20I order.

With Abhishek and Suryavanshi both available, bringing Samson into the opening combination could require a change elsewhere in the batting order. The management must therefore decide whether Samson opens, bats lower down or waits for an opportunity.

Each option carries a different tactical implication. If Samson opens, one of the other top-order batters could miss out. If he bats lower, India would be asking him to adapt to a role that may not maximise his strengths. If the team leaves him out, questions will remain over why he was recalled in the first place.

That is why Karthik’s question about Samson’s role is central to India’s selection discussion before the first T20I.

Karthik wants India to discover their T20 identity

Beyond Samson’s selection, Karthik believes India need to use the Afghanistan series to answer several bigger questions.

The former India player pointed to the team’s new leadership combination and recent results. India have a new captain and vice-captain, while their results against Ireland and England were disappointing before the team recovered against Zimbabwe.

For Karthik, winning the Afghanistan series is only one part of the objective. India also need to understand what kind of T20 side they want to become.

That includes establishing a clear batting order, identifying trusted bowlers and developing a consistent tactical plan. A settled identity can help players understand their responsibilities and reduce uncertainty around selection.

India need clarity after mixed recent results

India’s recent T20I results have produced a mixed picture. The team suffered defeats against Ireland and England but responded by winning the Zimbabwe series.

Those results make the Afghanistan series an important opportunity to build momentum. Playing three matches at the same venue also gives the management a useful chance to test combinations under similar conditions.

The focus will not simply be on the final series score. India can use the matches to assess players, settle roles and identify the combination they want to take into their upcoming assignments.

For a side going through a period of leadership and selection changes, consistency could be just as valuable as individual performances.

Batting order is one of India’s biggest questions

The first decision will likely revolve around the opening combination. India have three strong candidates in Samson, Abhishek and Suryavanshi, but only a limited number of positions at the top of the order.

The management must determine which combination offers the best balance between experience, current form and future planning.

Samson provides experience and has previously been trusted in India’s T20 setup. Suryavanshi brings recent form and considerable attention after his Zimbabwe performances. Abhishek offers an established left-handed option at the top.

There is no obvious solution that satisfies every consideration. That is precisely why the Afghanistan series could become an important test for India’s selection strategy.

Bowling combination is another area to watch

Karthik also highlighted India’s bowling plans as an area requiring clarity. The team management needs to identify which bowlers it trusts and how it wants to structure the attack.

T20 cricket often requires teams to balance pace, spin, death-overs specialists and all-round options. With a new leadership group, establishing those responsibilities can be just as important as deciding the batting order.

The Afghanistan series provides three matches in which India can experiment with combinations while still aiming to win. The challenge will be finding the right balance between experimentation and consistency.

Why the Afghanistan series matters for India

The three-match series comes at an important stage for India’s T20 planning. The team has already experienced some difficult results and has subsequently made changes to its player combinations.

The Afghanistan matches can therefore provide useful information about the team’s preferred approach. If India settle on a consistent top order and bowling structure, the series could become an important building block for future tournaments.

For individual players, every match will also carry significance. Samson needs runs to strengthen his case, while Suryavanshi will look to continue his momentum. Abhishek will also be expected to make his presence count if selected.

All Afghanistan vs India T20Is to be played in Delhi

All three matches in the series will be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The first T20I takes place on September 13, followed by the remaining two matches on September 15 and September 17.

Playing the complete series at one venue gives both teams familiarity with the conditions. For India, it also creates a useful environment in which to assess different combinations without having to adjust to different grounds.

The first match will therefore offer the clearest indication of the management’s thinking, particularly regarding the competition between Samson, Suryavanshi and Abhishek.

What could happen to Sanju Samson?

There are several possible outcomes for Samson. India could bring him straight into the XI and give him another opportunity at the top. They could select him while moving another batter to a different position. Or they could continue with the combination that has recently produced results and keep Samson as a backup.

The decision will ultimately depend on the management’s assessment of current form, team balance and long-term plans.

What remains clear is that Samson’s return to the squad has not automatically guaranteed him a place in the playing XI. Karthik’s comments highlight exactly why: India now have multiple options competing for the same positions.

Key questions ahead of India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I

• Will Sanju Samson return to the XI? His squad recall does not guarantee selection.
• Where does Vaibhav Suryavanshi fit? His impressive Zimbabwe series has strengthened his claim.
• Will Abhishek Sharma open? The left-hander remains an important option at the top.
• What will India’s batting order be? The management needs greater clarity after recent changes.
• Who will India trust with the ball? Karthik believes the bowling plan also needs definition.
• What is India’s T20 identity? The Afghanistan series can help establish a more consistent tactical approach.

Final Verdict

Dinesh Karthik’s questions about Sanju Samson highlight one of India’s biggest selection dilemmas ahead of the Afghanistan T20I series. Samson has returned to the squad after being dropped during the England series and missing the Zimbabwe tour, but he faces competition from Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

With Samson scoring only 33 runs in his last four T20Is, while Suryavanshi impressed during India’s Zimbabwe campaign, the management has a difficult call to make. At the same time, Samson’s previous importance to the team means his return cannot be dismissed without consideration.

The Afghanistan series gives India an opportunity to settle these questions. More than simply winning three matches, the team needs to establish a reliable batting order, define its bowling combination and develop a clear T20 identity. The first T20I in Delhi should provide the first major clue about where Samson stands in India’s plans.