Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has backed the return of Sanju Samson to the top order, saying India should retain the combination of Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan.

Rahane said the trio that contributed to India’s successful 2026 T20 World Cup campaign should continue at the top, while 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be given opportunities at the appropriate time.

Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India’s T20 World Cup triumph, was subsequently dropped after a few low scores on the tour of England. Sooryavanshi made his international debut in Manchester after taking Samson’s opening spot and also opened in the T20Is against Zimbabwe.

Samson has now been recalled to the squad for the home series against Afghanistan, which begins at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.

“I feel the top three should be the same that played in the World Cup. Samson has done well, but he got dropped after two or three bad innings. I want him to get another chance. Abhishek and Ishan also did well for us,” Rahane said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“Vaibhav will get his opportunities, and his time will come. But for now, I feel the top three should be Samson, Abhishek, and Ishan, who were our contributors in the World Cup,” he added.

Welcoming Samson back into the T20I setup, Rahane described him as a match-winner whose presence strengthens the side.

“I am happy to see Sanju Samson back in the team. He was the ‘Man of the Series’ in the World Cup. It has been up and down, and things were happening to him that were not in his control. But he is a match-winner, and his return strengthens the team,” he said.

Rahane also offered advice to Sooryavanshi, urging the young left-hander to continue playing the aggressive brand of cricket that earned him a place in the Indian team rather than overthinking his approach.

“I think he should just play his game right now. He should back the game that led him to come into the Indian team. It is a very early stage for him in his career and in international cricket,” Rahane said.

He stressed that Sooryavanshi should be allowed to develop naturally, while maintaining balance both on and off the field.

Rahane pointed to Sooryavanshi’s performances in domestic and franchise cricket, noting that the teenager had scored consistently in the IPL, for India A and for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy.

“He has shown consistency. The only thing for him will be to stay mentally balanced and stable so that he can continue operating the way he does. Yes, he will have to make some tweaks in his game, but there is time for that,” Rahane said.