India Predicted Playing XI vs Afghanistan- 3rd T20I. Source- AFPFor one last time in this series, India and Afghanistan will be at loggerheads in the IND vs AFG 3rd T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday evening.After Abhishek Sharma's explosive knock in the first game, Sanju Samson went big in the last fixture, racking up 57 runs off 22 balls in the small chase of 160. Meanwhile, the gung-ho Abhishek also smoked the bowlers during his 19-ball 39 blitz. Later, Ishan Kishan took the team home with a blistering 38*, as India stormed Afghanistan in just 14.5 overs.Meanwhile, with the ball, it was the likes of Nitish Kumar Reddy (3/24) and Arshdeep Singh (2/35) who played a major role in restricting the hosts to a below-par score of 159/8. In this article, we will analyse what changes the Men in Blue can make to the India Playing XI vs Afghanistan for 3rd T20I, scheduled for Thursday evening in Delhi.Top Order: Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan KishanFinally, Sanju Samson scored his first half-century for India after the 2026 T20 World Cup during the IND vs AFG 2nd T20I. He went big against the hosts, slapping seven boundaries and four biggies in all corners of the park. The team management will give their trusted man another go. As Abhishek Sharma has played two good knocks in the series, he is expected to make space for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has been on the bench for the last two matches. The teenager will be included in the India Playing XI vs Afghanistan for 3rd T20I to play his first match in India in the national colours. Just like Abhishek, Ishan Kishan has also played two good knocks in the IND vs AFG T20Is, scoring 42 & 38 runs in the two matches. However, replacing him with Sooryavanshi would only add more confusion. Thus, Kishan will regain his place at number three in the IND Playing XI vs AFG, 3rd T20I. Also Read: Sanju Samson Gives No-Nonsense Response On Competition With Vaibhav SooryavanshiMiddle order and all-rounders: Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar PatelSkipper Shreyas Iyer would automatically retain his place in the India Playing XI vs Afghanistan for 3rd T20I. Although his captaincy has been top-notch, the stylish batter would look to score big runs before the series ends. So far, he has scored just 19 runs in two IND vs AFG T20Is, though he has had little time to showcase his prowess thanks to the top order.Just like his captain, the vice-captain Tilak Varma has had limited time in the middle. In two games, the southpaw has played just 18 deliveries, but he has remained unbeaten both times. He, too, would hope India get to bat first time, so that he can score some runs in the final T20I fixture. Shivam Dube hasn't been tested with the bat, but the all-rounder has been bowled really poorly in both the matches. With Team India struggling with their fifth and sixth bowling options, Dube would need to step up in the IND vs AFG 3rd T20I.Unlike his senior partner, Nitish Kumar Reddy has contributed beautifully with the ball. He bagged a three-fer in the last outing, as he was adjourned the Player of the Match award on Tuesday evening. He will surely regain his place in the India Playing XI vs Afghanistan for 3rd T20I.There could be a toss-up between Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in the IND vs AFG 3rd T20I, but the former gives more depth to the batting order, along with his astute left-arm spin bowling. Axar may have taken just two wickets so far in the series, but no spinner knows this Delhi wicket better than the DC captain, who has taken 21 wickets in the IPL at the venue. Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur, Ravi BishnoiWith India already leading the series, the team management may look to rest Jasprit Bumrah in the final fixture. If the ace pacer gets benched, Arshdeep Singh will need to handle the proceedings with the ball. Interestingly, no Indian bowler has taken more wickets than the left-armer in T20I cricket, who has 140 wickets in 93 fixtures.Yash Thakur, who came in for an injured Harshit Rana, is expected to be included in the IND vs AFG for 3rd T20I. The right-arm pacer bowled with the big heart in Zimbabwe, where he snapped four wickets in his first two outings for India. With Varun Chakaravarthy ruled out of the series, Ravi Bishnoi will again be in the India Playing XI vs Afghanistan. The leggie bagged just a solitary scalp in the last fixture, but he would like to end the IND vs AFG T20Is on a high. India Predicted Playing XI vs Afghanistan- 3rd T20I, 2026Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur, Ravi BishnoiAlso Read: England Predicted Playing XI vs Sri Lanka- 2nd T20I, SL Tour of ENG 2026
