Archive · 13 Sep 2026
India Select Samson to Open Against Afghanistan in Delhi
India and Afghanistan are playing the first match of a three-game T20 cricket series.
The match is being held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
India won the toss and decided to bowl first.
India selected Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma to open its batting.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was not included in the playing XI.
This gives Samson a chance to regain a place he had previously lost to Sooryavanshi.
Afghanistan will bat first and try to score many runs.
Afghanistan did not select Naveen-ul-Haq because he was not ready to play.
The teams are competing in a series called the Friendship Cup 2026.
India chose to bowl first after winning the toss in the opening T20I in New Delhi.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were named as India’s opening pair.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Washington Sundar and other players were left out of India’s XI.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran said his side would have bowled first and aims to post a strong total.
Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq was unavailable because he was not match-ready and may be considered for later games.
- Who
- India, led by Shreyas Iyer, is playing Afghanistan, led by Ibrahim Zadran.
- What
- The teams are playing the first match of a three-match T20I series.
- When
- The series began on Sunday during the Friendship Cup 2026.
- Where
- Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- India chose to bowl first because its captain said the team was familiar with the Delhi pitch and conditions.
Back Samson and the established top three
Give Sooryavanshi an opportunity
India’s opening selection
Back Samson and the established top three
Ajinkya Rahane argued that India should retain Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan as its preferred top three.
Give Sooryavanshi an opportunity
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had been considered an alternative after taking Samson’s position during the England tour, but he was not selected for this match.
Samson’s return
Back Samson and the established top three
Samson returned to the XI and was assigned opening duties alongside Abhishek Sharma.
Give Sooryavanshi an opportunity
Before the lineup was announced, questions remained over whether Samson would play, and Sooryavanshi was identified as a possible option.
- Match
- India vs Afghanistan, first T20I
- Series
- Three-match Friendship Cup 2026 T20I series
- Venue
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
- Toss
- India won the toss and chose to bowl first
- India opening pair
- Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma
- India omissions
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Washington Sundar were not selected
- Afghanistan omission
- Naveen-ul-Haq was not match-ready
- Captains
- Shreyas Iyer for India and Ibrahim Zadran for Afghanistan
