Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Play in India vs Afghanistan 3rd T20I 2026?
India takes on Afghanistan in the 3rd T20I today, September 17, 2026, at Arun Jaitley Stadium, aiming for a series whitewash. All eyes are on 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, born March 27, 2011. He became India's youngest T20I debutant in July 2026 and won the IPL 2026 Orange Cap and MVP for Rajasthan Royals.
India prepares to take on Afghanistan in the third and final T20 International of the 'Friendship Cup' series. With the Men in Blue having already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead, attention now turns to potential squad rotations and the continued rise of teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is widely tipped to feature in the playing XI. Delhi Weather Forecast and Rain Chances for India vs Afghanistan 3rd T20I 2026.
India has dominated the series so far, clinching both the first and second T20Is by seven wickets each at the same venue. Captain Shreyas Iyer has hinted at possible changes, especially with the team heading to Japan for the Asian Games starting September 19, making this match a crucial opportunity for fringe players or those needing match practice.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Sensational Run
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, born on March 27, 2011, is currently 15 years old and has already etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history. The left-handed top-order batter made his international debut for India in the T20I series against England in July 2026, becoming the youngest player to represent the nation at 15 years and 99 days of age. His meteoric rise continued with a 'Player of the Series' performance against Zimbabwe in July 2026, where he scored 151 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 196.10 and also became the youngest batter to score an international T20I half-century, smashing 50 runs off just 19 balls in the first T20I. In his last T20I appearance on July 26, 2026, he scored an impressive 81 runs off 48 balls in the third T20I.
His form in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) was nothing short of spectacular, amassing 776 runs in 16 matches for Rajasthan Royals at an astonishing strike rate of 237.30, including a record 72 sixes. He walked away with the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker, and Most Sixes awards, underscoring his immense talent. Given these performances and his inclusion in the predicted XI, fans eagerly anticipate another dynamic display from the 'Boss Baby'. India Likely Playing XI for 3rd T20I vs Afghanistan: Check Predicted 11.
India vs Afghanistan - Match Details
The third T20I promises another thrilling contest as Afghanistan, despite losing the series, will be keen to salvage some pride. India's superior head-to-head record in T20Is against Afghanistan stands at 8 wins to 0 losses, with one match ending in a no-result out of nine encounters.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Afghanistan, 3rd T20I (Friendship Cup 2026) |
| Date | Thursday, September 17, 2026 |
| Start Time | 7:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| Competition | Bilateral T20I Series |
| Series Status | India leads 2-0 |
With India already having sealed the series, this final T20I against Afghanistan provides a valuable platform for strategic experimentation and individual brilliance ahead of the busy cricketing calendar. The inclusion of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will undoubtedly add an extra layer of excitement for fans hoping to witness more history in the making.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2026 02:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).