New Delhi, Sept 17:
India will look to complete a 3-0 series sweep when they face Afghanistan in the third and final T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday. Having already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead, India will aim to finish the series on a winning note while giving opportunities to players who have not yet featured.
India won the opening T20I by seven wickets before producing another comprehensive performance in the second match. The results have given captain Shreyas Iyer and the team management the freedom to experiment with the combination in the final game, particularly with the Asian Games campaign also approaching.
One of the major attractions of the match will be the possibility of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making his appearance. The youngster is part of Indiaâs squad and has already attracted considerable attention with his performances in T20 cricket. A debut in Delhi would provide him with an opportunity to make his mark at the international level.
Sanju Samson will also be under the spotlight following his explosive performance in the second T20I. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 57 off just 22 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes, to play a major role in Indiaâs emphatic victory.
Samsonâs innings came after he managed only 10 runs in the series opener, underlining the impact he can have when he settles into his aggressive style. His form will be closely watched as India continue to assess their options in the T20 format.
Captain Shreyas Iyer is also expected to use the final match to assess players who have not received an opportunity in the first two games. With the Asian Games campaign on the horizon, the contest could provide valuable international experience to players competing for places in Indiaâs wider T20 setup.
For Afghanistan, the third T20I offers a chance to avoid a 3-0 series defeat and finish the tour with a strong performance. They will need to find answers to an Indian side that has dominated both matches and maintained control in all departments.
The Delhi match therefore carries significance for both teams. While India will be targeting a clean sweep, the hosts also have an opportunity to test their bench strength and assess combinations ahead of the upcoming Asian Games and other T20 assignments.