India name squad for Afghanistan T20Is with Jasprit Bumrah included
Jasprit Bumrah has been named in India’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan starting on September 13, selectors announced, with Washington Sundar also picked despite uncertainty over his fitness. The squad blends established internationals and younger players and includes several members listed as subject to fitness clearance.
India are entering a busy period of their international schedule and the selection committee has named a squad to meet those demands, led by skipper Shreyas Iyer. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has retained his place, while the management have kept options at the top with Abhishek Sharma and flexibility in the middle order with Tilak Varma and Iyer himself.
The 15-player group named is: Shreyas Iyer [C], Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson [WK], Ishan Kishan [WK], Tilak Varma [VC], Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar*, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana*. NOTE: * Subject to fitness clearance.
Selectors retained Jasprit Bumrah as a frontline option with the new ball and at the death after he missed several important matches earlier this year; his participation in the series has not yet been confirmed. Washington Sundar was picked despite similar availability questions, underscoring the squad’s conditional inclusions ahead of fitness assessments.
The selection includes multiple players described as capable contributors with both bat and ball, with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar cited in that role. The panel’s choices provide all-round options across batting and bowling departments while some places remain contingent on medical clearance.
India’s top order continues to feature Abhishek Sharma, who the selectors note as a leading presence at the top, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been retained to further establish himself. The middle order will rely on Tilak Varma alongside captain Shreyas Iyer for composure and finishing roles.
Hardik Pandya has been left out of the squad after a leg niggle prevented him from bowling at full pace during his comeback, and he will not play in the Asian Games. Those absences have partly informed the selection balance, increasing the emphasis on multi-dimensional players.
The selected squad will prepare for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan that begins on September 13, with the availability of several named players still subject to fitness clearance.