Indian cricket has a management, not a personnel issue

Sunday, India locked horns against Afghanistan in the first of three bilateral T20Is. Despite a comprehensive win, India’s glaring problems in recent times have not gone away.

India’s selections have been a point of contention as long as one’s memory can last, but in recent times, the T20I team has been unsettled. Gautam Gambhir’s stint includes multiple titles, but his controversies and bold team selection, along with India’s selection committee, remain contentious.

Perhaps a byproduct of the Indian Premier League, India’s main team has several fringe players trying to knock down an iron door. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi—one of the brightest talents world cricket has ever produced—was sidelined Sunday despite his Man of the Match and Man of the Series efforts against Zimbabwe in India’s last short-form fixtures.

Sanju Samson’s spot has been shaky since his return to the side. His Player of the Tournament performances have remained some of the only high scores in the year for Samson. His inconsistency means “[he] doesn't help his own cause,” as Sanjay Manjrekar said on air after his brief stay on Sunday.

India's great Jasprit Bumrah made his return, his rust easing out after his first T20I since the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand early this year, where he received Man of the Match recognition for his 4-15. He finished 1-26 with a tidy last two overs after going for 18 in his first two overs against the Afghan top order.

Abhishek Sharma shook off his bad form with a blistering 82 (32) to ice the chase alongside in-form Ishan Kishan with a supporting 42 (33).

After an economical bowling display, barring the expensive all-rounders—Nitish Kumar Reddy went for 13s in his two overs, Dube conceding 21 in his solitary over (the 20th)—India’s captain Shreyas Iyer and vice-captain Tilak Varma finished the game off.

It remains yet to be seen whether Sooryavanshi will be given a run on home soil against Afghanistan, or if we will have to wait to see his international career continue for the near future.