India Top Three for Afghanistan T20Is: Rahane Picks Samson, Abhishek and Kishan

India’s top three for the Afghanistan T20Is has become an interesting selection debate after former India batter Ajinkya Rahane backed Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan ahead of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Rahane believes India should retain the combination that delivered during the recent T20 World Cup rather than make another change at the top of the order. His view comes at a time when Sooryavanshi is pushing strongly for a place after making a major impact during the Zimbabwe series.

The three-match series against Afghanistan begins on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The remaining games are scheduled for September 15 and 17, giving India an important opportunity to fine-tune their T20 combination before the Asian Games later this month.

Rahane’s Preferred India Top Three

Rahane’s selection is straightforward. He wants Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan to occupy the first three positions in India’s batting order.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former India batter argued that the team should avoid unnecessary changes to a combination that has already worked at the highest level.

His preference effectively means Sooryavanshi would have to wait for another opportunity despite his eye-catching performances in recent international cricket.

Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Has Missed Out

The decision to leave Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out of the preferred top three does not necessarily represent a criticism of the young batter.

In fact, Rahane made it clear that he expects Sooryavanshi to receive opportunities. His argument is more about timing and maintaining stability than questioning the teenager’s ability.

Sooryavanshi has already shown that he can compete at international level. During the Zimbabwe series, he produced two half-centuries and was named Player of the Series.

Those performances strengthened his case for continued selection, but they also created a difficult question for the Indian team: should an established player be moved aside immediately after returning to the squad?

Rahane’s answer is no, at least for the Afghanistan series.

That approach also gives India the opportunity to assess whether the existing top order can regain its rhythm before the Asian Games. If circumstances change, Sooryavanshi remains an obvious candidate for promotion or inclusion.

Sanju Samson’s Return Changes the Equation

One of the biggest factors in the selection debate is the return of Sanju Samson.

Samson was rested for the Zimbabwe series, creating space for Sooryavanshi to make a strong impression. With Samson now back in the squad, competition for the top-order positions has naturally increased.

Rahane believes Samson deserves another opportunity after previous difficulties in the format.

His assessment also reflects the importance of giving experienced players enough time to establish themselves. Samson has previously experienced selection changes after a small number of low scores, and Rahane believes that the wicketkeeper-batter should be given another chance.

For India, the situation is less about choosing between a good and bad player and more about deciding which combination offers the best balance at this stage.

Abhishek Sharma Remains a Key Part of the Plan

Abhishek Sharma is another player Rahane does not want India to remove from the top order.

The left-handed batter provides an aggressive option at the beginning of an innings and has already become an important part of India’s T20 setup. Keeping him in the opening combination allows India to maintain continuity rather than constantly reshuffling the batting order.

His presence alongside Samson also gives India a combination of experience and attacking intent, while Ishan Kishan provides another aggressive left-handed option if used at No. 3.

The bigger question is whether three players with strong attacking instincts can consistently provide the platform India needs against different bowling attacks.

Ishan Kishan’s Recent Form Strengthens His Case

Ishan Kishan’s position in Rahane’s preferred top three is also supported by his recent domestic performances.

Kishan captained East Zone in the Duleep Trophy and produced a major batting contribution during the tournament. He scored 270 in the first innings of the final and followed it with 80 in the second innings, helping East Zone win the title.

His form has therefore given selectors another reason to keep him involved at the top of the order.

There was, however, a brief injury scare during India’s preparations for the Afghanistan series when Kishan appeared to tweak his back during a training session. He left the nets under his own power, but his availability remained subject to medical assessment.

If cleared to play, Kishan’s recent form makes him a logical candidate for a prominent batting position.

Sooryavanshi’s Rapid Rise Continues

Even though Rahane has left him outside his preferred top three, Sooryavanshi’s progress remains one of the most interesting stories surrounding Indian T20 cricket.

The teenager became India’s youngest international debutant when he played against England in July. His performances against Zimbabwe then demonstrated that his early international opportunity was not simply based on potential.

Two half-centuries and a Player of the Series award gave him genuine momentum.

That creates an unusual situation for a young cricketer. Instead of fighting simply to enter the national setup, Sooryavanshi is already competing directly with established international batters for a place in India’s first-choice batting order.

Rahane’s message is essentially that there is no need to rush the process. Sooryavanshi can continue developing, remain ready when an opportunity appears and allow his performances to make the selection decision increasingly difficult.

India’s Selection Dilemma: Stability vs Youth

The Afghanistan series presents India with a classic selection challenge: continuity versus emerging talent.

Backing Samson, Abhishek and Kishan provides stability. These players understand the demands of international cricket and have already been part of India’s recent T20 plans.

Choosing Sooryavanshi, meanwhile, would give the team an opportunity to accelerate the development of a teenager who has already shown considerable promise.

There is also a strategic advantage to not rushing Sooryavanshi into every match. India can give him opportunities gradually while protecting the stability of the senior side.

Afghanistan T20Is Offer India a Valuable Test

The three-match series against Afghanistan is more than a short bilateral assignment. It comes at an important point in India’s T20 calendar because the Asian Games are approaching later in September.

The opening game will be played in New Delhi on September 13, followed by matches on September 15 and 17. With the entire series being played in India, the team management has a useful environment in which to evaluate combinations.

The series could therefore answer several questions surrounding India’s batting order.

• Can Samson make a strong return after his break?
• Can Abhishek continue to provide power at the top?
• Can Kishan maintain his recent batting momentum?
• When should Sooryavanshi receive his next opportunity?
• Which combination gives India the strongest balance before the Asian Games?

The answers may ultimately matter more than any individual selection opinion.

Rahane’s View Is About Timing, Not Rejection

It would be easy to interpret Sooryavanshi’s omission from Rahane’s preferred top three as a setback, but the former India batter’s comments suggest something different.

Rahane has not argued that Sooryavanshi lacks the ability to play international cricket. Instead, he believes the teenager’s opportunity will come while the current combination deserves another chance.

This distinction is important because selection decisions are rarely based on talent alone. Team balance, recent performances, previous combinations and the timing of competitions all influence the final XI.

Sooryavanshi’s biggest advantage is that he has already made a strong impression. If he continues performing whenever opportunities arrive, the pressure on the team management to include him will only increase.

What Could Happen If the Top Three Struggle?

Rahane’s preferred combination could remain intact if the three players perform well against Afghanistan. However, T20 cricket changes quickly, and three matches can expose weaknesses just as easily as they can confirm a selection strategy.

If one or more of the established batters struggle, Sooryavanshi could become an increasingly attractive option. His recent performances mean he would not be entering the discussion purely as a developmental prospect.

That is where India’s depth becomes a major advantage. The team does not have to rush a player simply because he is talented, but it also has the flexibility to change the combination when performances demand it.

The Afghanistan series could therefore be an important checkpoint rather than a final verdict on India’s batting order.

India’s Top-Order Battle Could Define the Series

The Afghanistan attack will provide India’s batters with a useful test before the Asian Games. The top order will be expected to establish strong starts, while the middle order and all-round options will depend on how effectively the opening three use the powerplay.

For Samson, the series represents a chance to make his return count. For Abhishek and Kishan, it is an opportunity to reinforce their positions. For Sooryavanshi, the challenge is slightly different: remain ready and continue building a case that becomes impossible to ignore.

That makes the selection battle one of the most interesting subplots of the series.

Final Verdict

India’s top three for the Afghanistan T20Is remain a subject of debate after Ajinkya Rahane backed Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan ahead of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Rahane’s position is based on continuity rather than a lack of faith in India’s teenage sensation. Sooryavanshi has already made a significant impression with two half-centuries and a Player of the Series performance against Zimbabwe, but Rahane believes his opportunity can come without immediately breaking up the established combination.

With the Afghanistan series beginning on September 13, India now have three matches to assess their preferred batting order. If Samson, Abhishek and Kishan deliver, Rahane’s argument for stability will grow stronger. If they struggle, Sooryavanshi could quickly become the most obvious alternative.