Ajinkya Rahane backs Sanju Samson for upcoming series against Afghanistan

Former India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has advocated for reinstating the top-three batting order that helped secure the 2026 T20 World Cup title. With the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan starting Sunday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Rahane expressed support for the return of Sanju Samson. Samson, who earned Player of the Tournament honors during the World Cup, is expected to join Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan at the top of the lineup. While acknowledging the rapid development of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Rahane advised the teenager to remain patient and focus on maintaining mental balance. Sooryavanshi recently became the youngest player to score a Duleep Trophy half-century, but Rahane emphasized that the current international rotation should prioritize established squad members.

• 6:15 AMYahoo Sports — ‘His time will come’: Ajinkya Rahane wants India to drop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to play Sanju Samson in Afghanistan T20Is
• 8:05 PMYahoo Sports — ‘His time will come’: Ajinkya Rahane wants Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to wait as Sanju Samson returns