Sanju Samson's return to India’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan has sparked discussions about a possible new opening combination. The wicketkeeper-batter, who was previously left out of the squad for the Zimbabwe tour, now has a chance to reclaim his spot at the top of the order.
Samson’s absence from the Zimbabwe tour followed a series of disappointing performances that saw him dropped from the playing XI. This decision came despite his earlier success, where he was named Player of the Tournament during India’s T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year. His return to the squad is seen as a critical opportunity for him to re-establish himself as a key player.
Since India's World Cup triumph, the team management has been actively experimenting with different batting combinations, particularly in the opening positions. One of the standout players in recent times has been 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who made a significant impact during the IPL season. His rapid ascent into the senior team has already seen him open alongside Abhishek Sharma, showcasing his potential at the highest level.
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has suggested that the Afghanistan series could be an ideal opportunity to test out a new opening combination featuring Samson and Sooryavanshi. Dasgupta noted that while India has tried various pairings, including Samson with Abhishek Sharma and Sooryavanshi with Sharma, the duo of Samson and Sooryavanshi has yet to be explored.
“We haven’t seen the Sanju-Vaibhav combination yet,” Dasgupta remarked in a recent discussion on his YouTube channel. He emphasized that it would be beneficial to see how the two players perform together at the top of the order. He further stated, “It’s not a bad idea to even try and see what kind of combination Sanju and Vaibhav can make.”
Sooryavanshi has certainly made a compelling case for his inclusion as a regular opening option. In the recent series against Zimbabwe, he emerged as the leading run-scorer, amassing 151 runs across three innings with an impressive average of 50.33 and a striking rate of 196.10. His standout performances included a match-winning 81 and two half-centuries, which earned him the Player of the Series award. His contributions were pivotal in India securing their first series victory under newly appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, following previous defeats against Ireland and England.
While advocating for the potential pairing of Samson and Sooryavanshi, Dasgupta clarified that he does not advocate for dropping any of the three players currently in contention. Instead, he stressed the importance of utilizing the matches leading up to the T20 World Cup to explore various combinations and ensure that every player receives ample opportunities to showcase their skills.
“I’m not saying, please don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about dropping anyone here,” Dasgupta explained. “The idea is that before the World Cup, you want to give every combination and every individual a proper chance and proper game time to understand what works.” As the Afghanistan series approaches, the dynamics of India’s opening combination will undoubtedly be a focal point of discussion among fans and analysts alike.
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