Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Should Be Worried? Afghanistan Players Who Can Trouble Indian Prodigy

Afghanistan players who can trouble Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | PC- AFP

After what Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been doing ever since the turn of this year, the 15-year-old prodigy has become a fan favourite, not just in India but worldwide.

Just two months ago, Sooryavanshi made his debut, but the time has come for the left-handed sensation to play his first international fixture in India. 

Included as an opener, alongside Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, in the India squad for the three-match series against Afghanistan, the youngster is expected to open, especially the way he batted in Zimbabwe, and is playing for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 26. 

Considering he gets to open the innings in IND vs AFG T20s, in this article, we will analyse which Afghanistan bowler can trouble Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the upcoming three-match T20Is. 

Naveen-ul-Haq

Naveen-ul-Haq has been included in the Afghanistan T20I squad to face India in India. Interestingly, he has been out of the national setup for nearly two years; he last played in the shortest format for Afghanistan back in December 2024.

Notably, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has struggled against right-arm pacers in recent times. Jofra Archer troubled the young batter in the IND vs ENG T20Is, although Naveen is a completely different kind of bowler compared to the English quick. However, the Afghani right-arm pacer’s variations could come in handy against Sooryavanshi. 

Overall in T20 cricket, the southpaw has been dismissed 17 times against right-arm pace, making Naveen a potent weapon to use against Sooryavanshi. 

His strike rate against right-arm pace in international cricket may seem low (183.7) compared to the strike rate he has in T20s (235.7), but it is not. 

(Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's stats against right-arm pacers)

Also Read: Deserving Players Who Missed Out On India's Squad For Afghanistan T20I Series 2026

Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan, the most successful bowler in T20 history, has to be on this list. The right-arm wrist-spin magician barely bowled against India's Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but in the limited outings, he has tasted some success against the prodigal batter. 

Although Rashid has taken Sooryavanshi's wicket just once, he has been able to keep him quiet. His strike rate against the leggie has been just 166.7 (which is reasonably low by Sooryavanshi's standards). 

It is noteworthy that the 15-year-old has been dismissed off a leggie just twice, with Rashid getting his wicket once. 

Overall, Sooryavanshi faced just 12 balls from Rashid, scoring 20 runs off him at 166.7. 

(Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Rashid Khan from IPL)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Mujeeb Ur Rahman could prove to be a brilliant option against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Indian opener was dismissed by off-spin bowlers twice in his brief international career of six fixtures. Morever, he has been outsmarted four times in T20 cricket by right-arm off-break bowlers. 

Bringing in off-spin against Sooryavanshi could be a double-edged sword, given his high strike rates (148.4 in international cricket & 193.9 in T20s), but he has been dismissed six times by offies overall. 

That said, Mujeeb Ur Rahman is someone who bowls inside the powerplay, and Afghanistan can use him well against both Sooryavanshi as well as Abhishek Sharma. 

(Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's stats against right-arm off-break)

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