India Squad for Afghanistan T20’s: Jasprit Bumrah Returns, Hardik Pandya Out

India vs Afghanistan T20I Series: Key Highlights

India have announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the T20I side, while Hardik Pandya has been ruled out after suffering a fresh setback during his recovery.

• Shreyas Iyer will captain India.
• Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain.
• Jasprit Bumrah returns to the T20I squad.
• Hardik Pandya misses out because of a fresh leg niggle.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi retains his place after featuring in the Zimbabwe series.
• Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are the two wicketkeeping options.
• Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana are subject to fitness clearance.

Jasprit Bumrah Returns to India T20I Squad

Jasprit Bumrah makes his return to India’s T20I squad after missing the recent series against Ireland and England as well as the Zimbabwe tour.

His return strengthens India’s pace attack for the Afghanistan series, with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana also included in the squad.

Hardik Pandya Misses Afghanistan Series

Hardik Pandya has been left out after his comeback plans suffered another setback. A late leg niggle forced him to pause his bowling at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Pandya has not played competitive cricket since representing Mumbai Indians in the IPL on May 24. His last appearance for India came in the T20 World Cup final on March 8.

Sanju Samson and Other Players Return

Several regular members of India’s T20I setup have returned after missing the Zimbabwe series.

The returning players include:

• Sanju Samson
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Axar Patel
• Washington Sundar
• Ravi Bishnoi
• Arshdeep Singh
• Harshit Rana
• Jasprit Bumrah

The selectors have opted for a more experienced combination against Afghanistan after using the Zimbabwe series to provide opportunities to players outside the regular T20I setup.

India Squad for Afghanistan T20Is

India T20I Squad:

Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.

Fitness clearance: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana are subject to fitness clearance.

Players Dropped After Zimbabwe Series

Eight players who were part of India’s Zimbabwe squad have not been included for the Afghanistan T20Is:

• Suryansh Shedge
• Rinku Singh
• Harsh Dubey
• Prince Yadav
• Yash Thakur
• Ashok Sharma
• Mayank Yadav
• Prabhsimran Singh

India vs Afghanistan T20I Series

The three-match Afghanistan T20I series will see India return to a stronger and more experienced T20I combination. The return of Bumrah and several established players adds considerable experience, while young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to remain part of the squad.

India T20I Squad – Afghanistan Series