Sports
India Names Four Injury-Doubtful Players in T20I Squad Against Afghanistan
India's 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan includes four players whose participation depends on fitness clearance: Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana. While selectors have previously included recovering players expected to return soon, the inclusion of four such cases this time raises questions, particularly since other fit options were available.
Bumrah, the most prominent name among them, has not played since injuring his left knee during the second ODI against England in Cardiff in July. Washington sustained a hamstring injury in the same series, while Nitish has been sidelined with a quadriceps injury since missing the UK and Zimbabwe tours. Harshit's injury history is longer; a knee injury requiring surgery kept him out of the T20 World Cup, and he suffered another injury during the UK tour.
On a positive note, Varun Chakaravarthy, who missed the Zimbabwe tour due to a hamstring injury sustained during the England T20I series in July, has been recalled to the squad.
India will face Afghanistan in Delhi on September 13, 15, and 17. The team will then travel to Japan later in the month to defend their Asian Games gold medal, with the men's cricket event starting September 24. The Afghanistan series is expected to serve as preparation for players likely needed at the Asian Games.
There is precedent for players selected under fitness clearance ultimately missing out — both Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan were named for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka under similar conditions but failed to recover in time to travel. This history adds intrigue to the latest squad selection, especially since India had alternative options for a bilateral series such as this one.
One such option is pacer Mayank Yadav, who impressed during India's 3-0 T20I series win in Zimbabwe in July, taking five wickets in three matches, including a standout 3/29 in the final game. Given his history of injury setbacks, simply completing the series marked a significant step in his comeback. The Afghanistan series could have offered a further opportunity to assess his form and fitness.
Despite this, there is no denying the value Bumrah, Washington, Nitish, and Harshit bring to the team when fit. It remains possible that selectors have received positive fitness updates and expect all four players to be ready by September 13. If that proves true, there will be little cause for concern. However, with four out of fifteen squad members still uncertain, questions remain about why other in-form players like Mayank were not preferred for this series.
The rest of the squad reflects continuity. Shreyas Iyer will make his home debut as India's T20I captain, with Tilak Varma serving as his deputy. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi retains his spot following a strong tour of Zimbabwe. Sanju Samson returns as one of two wicketkeepers alongside Ishan Kishan. The squad is completed by Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Arshdeep Singh.
India's squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar*, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana*
*Subject to fitness clearance