NEW DELHI: India made a big selection call for the first T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, with Sanju Samson getting the nod over young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.Captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and decided to bowl first. India also brought Jasprit Bumrah back into the playing XI and picked specialist spinner Varun Chakaravarthy ahead of Yash Thakur.
Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not playing?
India chose experience in the opening game, with Samson selected in the XI instead of Vaibhav.Iyer also confirmed that Washington Sundar and two other players were left out, making it clear that team combination was behind the decision.“It’s a luxury to have him (Bumrah) in the squad — he carries lot of great attitude when it comes to winning matches. Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) is not playing, neither are Washington and two more.”Iyer later explained that managing the team combination was difficult.“That is more difficult, I feel, but I would say if Vaibhav (Sooryavanshi) is not playing, then Washington (Sundar) is not playing and there are two more which you’ll get to know”.Samson was named as India’s wicketkeeper, with Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma also in the batting group.India also picked Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel before going with Arshdeep Singh, Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy as the bowling options.Iyer said India had played several matches in Delhi and wanted to make use of the conditions by bowling first.“We’re going to bowl first. I mean, when you have played in Delhi, you know what the pitch has got to offer and we’ve played quite a bit of matches over here. So based on that and looking at the conditions, that’s really both. [On his first ten matches as India captain]It’s been a roller coaster ride, but if you see the previous series which we played against Zimbabwe, there were a lot of positives and the boys were optimistic in their approach. So, that’s the attitude we’ve got to carry in this series as well.”
Jasprit Bumrah returns
Bumrah returned to the India XI after missing recent assignments following the left-knee injury that ruled him out of an ODI in England and two Tests in Sri Lanka.Iyer called having Bumrah in the squad a “luxury” and highlighted his experience and ability to win matches.“[On having Jasprit Bumrah available in the squad] Yes, certainly. I think it’s a luxury to have him in the squad because he’s immensely experienced and he carries a lot of great attitude when it comes to winning matches. So, we know he’s a match winner and we know what he’s got to offer.”
Afghanistan make changes
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran said his team would have bowled first had they won the toss.“We would have bowled first. Unfortunately, we lost the toss and we will think about batting. We will try to put a good total on the board.”Zadran said Afghanistan were excited to host India and asked fans to support both teams.“Yeah, it’s a great feeling for us. It is a pleasure to host India, here in India for the first time. We are trying to enjoy ourselves, trying to have a good series against them.”He added: “We have got lots of support from the fans in the past as well, and just requesting them to come support, both teams. I hope they don’t forget us, but hopefully they come and support their own player, their own team, and give their energy to the players.”Afghanistan also made changes to their side.“Naveen(-ul-Haq) is not playing, Noor Ahmad, and Abdullah (Ahmadzai) and Naveen-ul-Haq, he’s not match ready for today. Yeah, we will think about him for the second and third game,” Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran said.
India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I : Playing XIs
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq FarooqiIndia: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
