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Sanju Samson, who was rested for the Zimbabwe series, is back in the squad. He looks set to make his return to the playing XI. Ahead of the series, Ajinkya Rahane has picked India's top three and he has asked for consistency, meaning no place for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. "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," Rahane said on his YouTube channel. "I want him to get another chance. Abhishek and Ishan also did well for us. 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. After being on the bench against Ireland, Sooryavanshi made his debut in the second T20I of the five-match series against England. He was dropped after three games. Sooryavanshi only made his return to the playing XI after Samson was rested against Zimbabwe. Sooryavanshi slammed two half-centuries in the three-match series against Zimbabwe to win the Player of the Series award.

India-Afghanistan series audition for Asian Games

Only one of Sooryavanshi and Samson can be part of the playing XI at a time against  . Whichever batter features in the Afghanistan series is likely to start in the Asian Games as well. Abhishek's all-round skills give him an edge and it will be tough for the team management to keep him out without giving him a long run. Before the Asian Games, India will take on Japan in a historic one-off T20I on September 22. India will kick off their Asian Games campaign on September 28.