Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has questioned India’s decision to field a near full-strength side in the opening match of their three-game series against Afghanistan, arguing that the contest offered an ideal opportunity to give younger and fringe players more exposure.
Akmal specifically questioned the decision to leave teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out of India’s playing XI for Sunday’s match. He also wondered why experienced pacer Jasprit Bumrah was required to play a series that, in his view, could have been used to develop India’s backup options.
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Speaking on the Game Plan podcast, Akmal said India should have used the Afghanistan series to test their bench strength rather than relying heavily on established names.
“100 per cent,” Akmal said when asked whether India should have fielded a second-string team. He added that Sooryavanshi should not have been left out against Afghanistan if India had already considered him for tougher assignments.
Akmal argued that a young player such as Sooryavanshi needs opportunities against different levels of opposition to develop confidence and experience. He questioned the logic of giving the youngster chances against stronger teams such as England while leaving him out when India faced Afghanistan.
According to Akmal, bilateral series against teams perceived to be lower down the international pecking order can be particularly valuable for identifying and developing backup players.
He pointed to India’s previous approach involving senior stars, saying players such as MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were often rested during such matches. That allowed other members of the squad to gain international experience without putting the team’s established core under unnecessary workload.
Akmal also questioned Bumrah’s inclusion in the series. The fast bowler has been one of India’s most important players across formats, making workload management an important consideration, particularly with a packed international calendar.
“I don’t understand why Bumrah is playing,” Akmal said, while also questioning the absence of Arshdeep Singh.
The comments come as India look to balance immediate results with long-term squad development. With several young players emerging in Indian cricket, such series can provide an opportunity to assess how they handle international conditions without the pressure associated with major tournaments.
Sooryavanshi, one of the young batters attracting considerable attention, has emerged as an exciting prospect. His aggressive batting style and early performances have led to expectations that he could eventually become part of India’s plans across formats.
However, experts generally caution against rushing young players into international cricket purely because of public expectations. Regular exposure, clear roles and carefully managed workloads are considered important for sustained development.
At the same time, resting key players during lower-stakes bilateral series can help reduce injury risks and create a stronger pool of international-ready replacements.
Akmal’s criticism therefore raises a broader question about India’s approach to squad rotation: whether the priority in such series should be winning every match with the strongest available XI or using the opportunity to build depth for the future.
For India, the Afghanistan series could ultimately serve both purposes, but Akmal believes the balance should have tilted more towards giving younger players like Sooryavanshi a chance.
