Ajinkya Rahane calls for India to reinstate Samson ahead of Sooryavanshi

Rahane believes India should stick with the combination that delivered during the T20 World Cup rather than make a needless alteration.

Samson was arguably India's standout performer in the latter stages of the tournament, playing a crucial role across the final three matches and collecting the Player of the Tournament award.

Although his form has dipped since then, including a disappointing T20I series in the UK, Rahane feels a short spell of poor results should not erase Samson's credentials.

Both players are in the Afghanistan squad, leaving the management to decide who partners Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order.

"For me, I feel the top three who played in the World Cup. I think they should be the top three. Sanju Samson did very well. After that he was dropped," Rahane said on his Hindi YouTube channel.

"Two, or perhaps two or three innings, went badly for him, and after that he was dropped. But I want Sanju Samson to get another opportunity."

Rahane also urged Sooryavanshi, 15, not to alter the fearless approach that earned his India selection, saying he should continue developing naturally rather than face excessive expectations.

"I feel that right now he should play his game, the same game because of which he came into the Indian team. He should back that same game. It is a very early stage for him, early in his career in international cricket, so for the time being he doesn't need to think too much," Rahane said.

"You should leave him free. As you keep playing, one year, two years, after that your game will gradually change. But for the time being, the game that has helped him come here, I think he should play exactly that same game."