India will look to seal the three-match T20I series when they take on Afghanistan in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday, September 15. Shreyas Iyer’s side won the opening match by seven wickets and will be confident of repeating the performance.
However, India have been forced into at least one change ahead of the second game after spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was ruled out of the remainder of the series with an injury. The mystery spinner played a key role in the first T20I but will now miss the remaining matches.
Ravi Bishnoi likely to replace Varun Chakaravarthy
The biggest selection question for India is who replaces Varun in the playing XI. Ravi Bishnoi appears to be the most likely option.
Bishnoi is part of the squad and provides a similar attacking leg-spin option in the middle overs. With Afghanistan boasting dangerous players such as Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, India could prefer a specialist spinner rather than significantly altering their bowling combination.
Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are expected to retain their places after playing important roles in the opening match. Arshdeep finished with three wickets, while Bumrah made an immediate impact on his return by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early.
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi get his chance?
Another major talking point is the selection of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The teenage batter was left out of the first T20I, with Sanju Samson opening alongside Abhishek Sharma. Samson managed only 10 runs, whereas Abhishek produced a spectacular 82 off 32 balls to virtually cement his place at the top of the order.
With India already leading 1-0, the team management could use the second match to give Sooryavanshi his opportunity. However, reports suggest India could also retain Samson and avoid making an additional change to the batting order.
Ishan Kishan’s 42 in the opening game also strengthens his claim for a middle-order role, while captain Shreyas Iyer and vice-captain Tilak Varma are expected to remain in the XI.
Also READ: AFG vs IND – Mohammad Kaif criticises Shreyas Iyer’s decision to hand final over to Shivam Dube
India’s predicted playing XI vs Afghanistan
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah
The batting order could be tweaked depending on whether India decide to hand Sooryavanshi his debut. Abhishek is almost certain to continue after his explosive performance, while Iyer will be keen to maintain a balanced combination around him.
Team news and key changes
India’s confirmed squad includes Shreyas Iyer, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Yash Thakur.
Harshit Rana is unavailable after being ruled out of both the Afghanistan series and Asian Games with a hamstring-related injury, with Yash Thakur named as his replacement.
India will therefore have to make at least one change because of Varun’s injury. If Bishnoi comes in, the bowling attack should retain much of the balance that worked in the opening game.
India eye series victory
A victory in Delhi would give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Afghanistan, meanwhile, need to bounce back immediately to keep the contest alive.
The second T20I also provides India with another opportunity to fine-tune their combination ahead of the Asian Games 2026, making the decisions around Sooryavanshi, Bishnoi and the team’s bowling balance particularly interesting.
Also READ: Aakash Chopra raises question over Sanju Samson after 1st T20I against Afghanistan
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