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Former Indian cricketer and commentator Vivek Razdan has publicly supported Shreyas Iyer remaining at the number four batting position for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. The three-match series is scheduled to begin on Sunday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Speaking at a press event organized by Sony Sports, Razdan addressed the team’s selection challenges, particularly regarding the top order. India faces a crowded field of opening candidates, including Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. While some analysts have suggested prioritizing a right-left batting combination, Razdan argued that individual performance should be the primary factor in selection.
Razdan specifically advocated for Sanju Samson to open the innings, citing the wicketkeeper-batter’s recent form and his contributions during India’s World Cup campaign. Regarding the captain, Razdan stated that Shreyas Iyer should maintain his current position at number four rather than moving up the order, despite his experience batting at number three for the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.
The series marks Iyer’s first home series as India’s T20I captain. The squad also sees the return of Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy following injury absences. The Afghanistan team, led by captain Ibrahim Zadran, will be seeking their first T20I victory against India, having lost eight of their previous nine encounters with one match resulting in no result.
The first T20I is scheduled to take place on September 13, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST.
Article and image source: afghanistansun.com
