New Delhi, Sep 1: India have announced a near full-strength 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, with several key players returning to the format.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the side, while Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain. The squad features a strong combination of established stars and emerging players, with Jasprit Bumrah making his return to T20I cricket.
Bumrah’s last appearance in the format came in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in March. His return strengthens an attack that also includes Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy and Harshit Rana.
Rana’s inclusion, however, is subject to fitness clearance. All-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar have also been selected, with their participation dependent on their fitness.
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson returns to the squad and will share the keeping duties with Ishan Kishan. Samson is among eight changes from India’s squad for the Zimbabwe T20I series.
Rinku Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Harsh Dubey, Prabhsimran Singh, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma have been left out of the Afghanistan squad.
The batting group includes Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel, alongside Iyer, Varma, Samson and Kishan.
The three-match series will be played entirely in New Delhi, with matches scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17.
India 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 and Harshit Rana.
Bumrah’s return and the inclusion of several first-choice players give India a significantly strengthened look ahead of the Afghanistan series, while the fitness status of three players remains a key consideration.
