IND vs AFG, 3rd T20I: Sooryavanshi not in the playing XI as India asked to bat first

India vs Afghanistan Live Score, 3rd T20I: With the three-match series already sealed, India could make changes to the playing XI and give players on the bench a chance when they take on Afghanistan in the third and final T20I in New Delhi on Thursday.

India have dominated the series so far, making host Afghanistan look second best in familiar conditions. After Tuesday's win, captain Shreyas Iyer hinted that the team management could change the combination before the squad leaves for the Asian Games, which begin on September 19 in Japan.

One of the biggest talking points is whether teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets an opportunity. India have so far stayed with their preferred opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, both of whom are in good form after Sooryavanshi made his debut during the England tour in July when Samson was out of form.

"We want all of them to get used to the wicket and the conditions and also get some practice. So, it would be a nice game to give opportunities to the players, especially who have been sitting out, and also change a little bit in the combination as well," Iyer said after India's second win.

Another way to include Sooryavanshi in the XI could be by resting Ishan Kishan.

Kishan joined the national squad after captaining East Zone in the Duleep Trophy, while Samson has kept wickets in the first two matches of the series.

• Commentary

17:46 (IST) Sep 17

IND vs AFG: ICYMI - Rashid Khan's exclusive interview

Rashid Khan believes Afghanistan needs to find solutions in the powerplay, while India's fearless young batters have caught his eye. The Afghanistan star explains what makes Abhishek Sharma a ‘very big package’ for Team India and calls 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a "God-gifted talent". Rashid also identifies Noor Ahmad and Abdollah Ahmadzai as players to watch and opens up about the one ICC achievement he still wants in his book.

READ FULL INTERVIEW

17:29 (IST) Sep 17

India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Nitish Reddy gives India another positive sign

Nitish Reddy's return to form with the ball has been one of India's biggest positives from the second T20I. The all-rounder returned from injury and immediately made an impact by picking up wickets against Afghanistan. India see Nitish as an important backup for Hardik Pandya, whose fitness has often been a concern over the years. That makes every outing important for the youngster as India continue building their white-ball squad. With the series already won, the third T20I could provide Nitish another opportunity to contribute with both bat and ball. Interestingly, he has not had a chance to bat yet because India's top order has finished both chases quickly.

17:28 (IST) Sep 17

IND vs AFG Live Score: Shreyas hints at changes for final T20I

Shreyas Iyer has made it clear that India are considering changes for the third T20I after sealing the series in the opening two matches. Speaking after Tuesday night's victory, the captain said the final game could be used to give opportunities to players who have been sitting out. "We want all of them to get used to the wicket and the conditions and also get some practice. So, it would be a nice game to give opportunities to the players, especially who have been sitting out, and also change a little bit in the combination as well," said Iyer after another dominating win.

🏏

Cricket Match Prediction

Who will win the toss today?

Tap to make your prediction

17:27 (IST) Sep 17

India vs Afghanistan Live Score: India's top order leaves little work for middle order

India's top three have dominated Afghanistan so completely that the middle order has barely had an opportunity to bat in the series. The opening pair and the No. 3 batter have blown away the opposition in both matches, leaving players like Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy and Shivam Dube with very little time in the middle. The team management may want to change that in the third T20I by making a few adjustments. Iyer and Tilak, in particular, could benefit from spending more time batting before India leave for the Asian Games. Nitish Reddy and Shivam Dube are yet to bat in the series because the top order has finished the job early.

17:26 (IST) Sep 17

IND vs AFG Live Score: Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi finally get his chance?

One of the biggest talking points before the third T20I is whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi finally gets an opportunity in the playing XI. The young batter made his India debut during the England tour in July when Sanju Samson was not in the best of form. In this series, however, both Samson and Abhishek Sharma have been in good touch, making it difficult for India to find space for Sooryavanshi. The team management has so far shown that it is not willing to change a settled combination just to accommodate him. But with the series already won, Thursday's game offers a realistic opportunity. Captain Shreyas Iyer has suggested that India could change the combination and give opportunities to players who have been waiting on the bench.

17:23 (IST) Sep 17

India vs Afghanistan Live Score: India eye clean sweep with series already sealed

India walk into the third and final T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi with the series already secured, but there is still plenty to watch out for at the Ferozshah Kotla. After dominating the first two matches, India have made Afghanistan look ordinary in familiar conditions. Captain Shreyas Iyer has already hinted that the final game could see changes to the playing XI, with the team management looking to give players on the bench valuable game time before the squad flies to Japan for the Asian Games beginning September 19. While the result will not change the series outcome, it offers India a chance to test their squad depth and prepare for the next assignment. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be looking to avoid a 3-0 defeat and end the series with an improved performance.

🏏

Cricket Match Prediction

What will the toss-winning team choose?

Tap to make your prediction

The team management will hope Iyer and Tilak Varma spend more time at the crease after India's top order finished the job in both games. Nitish Reddy and Shivam Dube are yet to bat in the series because the top three have done most of the scoring.

On the bowling side, India will be pleased with Nitish Reddy's return after injury. He picked up wickets in the second T20I and is seen as an important backup for Hardik Pandya.

Ravi Bishnoi, who replaced the injured Varun Chakaravarthy in the second match, is also expected to get another game. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh have continued to impress with the new ball.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look to finish the series on a better note before heading to the Asian Games. Their batting has struggled in both matches, and captain Ibrahim Zadran said the team needs to show more intent if it wants to challenge India.

"We thought about the things that how to improve that 150-160 to 200 plus. So we need to bring that intent to the team...we should go with the right intent to score, 200 plus.

"I'm pretty sure we will improve that area if you want to beat, biggest team in international stage," Zadran said after the second defeat.

A better performance in the final T20I would also give Afghanistan confidence before flying to Japan for the Asian Games.