Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has questioned India’s choice to select Sanju Samson forward of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the primary T20I in opposition to Afghanistan.Samson returned to the Indian workforce however managed solely 10 runs off 9 balls as India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.Sooryavanshi was amongst India’s finest performers on their current tour of Zimbabwe. The 15-year-old was named Participant of the Sequence after India accomplished a 3-0 T20I sequence sweep.The teen additionally scored runs for East Zone within the Duleep Trophy 2026. Nevertheless, he was not noted of India’s taking part in XI for the primary T20I in opposition to Afghanistan.
Samson over Sooryavanshi
India had to decide on between Sooryavanshi and Samson after the latter returned to the squad. Samson had missed the Zimbabwe tour and was additionally dropped from the taking part in XI halfway by way of the sequence in England.Samson opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma in opposition to Afghanistan. The pair added 18 runs in 2.1 overs earlier than Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Samson.
Kaif questions Samson’s choice
Kaif questioned the choice to select Samson over Sooryavanshi, particularly as Samson had not performed aggressive cricket after being not noted of India’s squad for the Zimbabwe tour.“What did Sanju do to play the primary T20I? If you end up dropped from the workforce, you play in several tournaments to return to type, however nothing like that occurred in Samson’s case. Why did not you go for the Abhishek and Suryavanshi mixture after the younger batter did properly in Zimbabwe? They aren’t certain about their finest opening mixture. The Indian workforce remains to be fascinated about their openers. Vaibhav will need to have felt unhealthy as he did not do something fallacious. This might result in confusion, which isn’t good for any workforce,” Kaif stated on Cricbuzz.The previous India cricketer additionally felt the choice confirmed that the workforce administration was nonetheless not sure about its most popular opening mixture.“For my part, they’re hesitating a bit; they’re not sure of what their finest opening mixture is. The Indian workforce are nonetheless fascinated about it. Vaibhav have to be saying what did I do fallacious? So this can be a state of confusion occurring, there isn’t any doubt about it,” he added.
Sanju Samson beneath strain after one other low rating
Samson has struggled for runs since India’s 2026 T20 World Cup last. He has scored 43 runs at a mean of 8.60 since then. He was anticipated to play within the Kerala Cricket League after being dropped from the nationwide workforce however opted out on the final second attributable to private causes.The Kerala batter had additionally scored solely 33 runs in 4 innings earlier than the Afghanistan sequence.With Sooryavanshi ready for a chance, Samson will probably be beneath strain to attain runs and retain his place on the high of the order.
Abhishek Sharma powers India to victory
India, nevertheless, made a robust begin to the Afghanistan sequence with a seven-wicket victory.After proscribing Afghanistan to 156/8, Abhishek Sharma smashed 82 off 32 balls to steer India’s chase. The hosts reached the goal in simply 13.4 overs. Ishan Kishan additionally made an necessary contribution after overcoming a minor again harm scare throughout coaching. He scored 42 off 33 balls, with 5 fours and a six.Abhishek’s aggressive knock additionally helped him reply questions on his current type.India and Afghanistan will face one another within the second T20I on Tuesday.