India's cricket team is gearing up for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, set to take place in Delhi from September 13 to 17. The squad announcement has brought some positive news for fans as star players Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah are making their return, although Hardik Pandya's comeback remains uncertain due to ongoing fitness issues.
Jasprit Bumrah, who has been sidelined since India's T20 World Cup victory over New Zealand on March 8, is included in the squad but remains subject to fitness clearance. The fast bowler missed the final ODI against England and the subsequent Test series in Sri Lanka due to a recurrence of a left knee injury. His inclusion is critical for India, as Bumrah is considered one of the best bowlers in the format. Shreyas Iyer will lead the team as captain, with Tilak Varma appointed as vice-captain.
Sanju Samson returns to the squad after being rested for the recent series against Zimbabwe. He will serve as one of two specialist wicketkeepers, joining Ishan Kishan. The selection sees eight changes from the squad that faced Zimbabwe, with several players making way for the return of experienced cricketers. Rinku Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Harsh Dubey, Prabhsimran Singh, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav, and Ashok Sharma have all been omitted from the squad.
In addition to Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana have also been included in the squad, pending fitness assessments from the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Varun Chakravarthy, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the England tour, is also back in the fold. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the fitness status of these players will be clarified before September 9.
Hardik Pandya's absence is a significant point of discussion as he has not played since the T20 World Cup final. His last competitive appearance was for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 on May 24. A leg strain sustained shortly after his initial selection has kept him out of action, ruling him out of the white-ball tours to Ireland and England. The team will miss his all-round capabilities, which have been crucial in previous matches.
Several players who participated in the England tour, including Shedge, Prince Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna, have also been left out of the squad for the Afghanistan series. This reshuffling indicates India's strategy to field a robust team as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
As the series approaches, fans will be eager to see how the returning players, particularly Bumrah and Samson, will impact the team's performance. The T20I series against Afghanistan presents an opportunity for India to solidify their squad ahead of future international competitions.
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