India have named a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled for September 13, 15, and 17, 2026, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Shreyas Iyer will lead the side, with Tilak Varma named as vice-captain and Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan included as wicketkeeper options.
The squad announcement has drawn criticism from former India batter S Badrinath, who questioned the inclusion of all-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Badrinath suggested the selections reflected coach Gautam Gambhir‘s personal preferences rather than form or established T20I credentials. Four players in the squad, Jasprit Bumrah, Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana, are marked with an asterisk, indicating they are yet to receive fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
Sundar has been a regular feature in India squads under Gambhir’s tenure as head coach, but his standing in the T20I format has continued to attract debate. Badrinath acknowledged the backing Sundar has received but questioned whether it is fully justified given his level of establishment in the shortest format.
“At first look, the coach’s favourites are back. Washington Sundar is getting tremendous backing in Indian cricket. He needs to really make use of it. And somehow I don’t rate Nitish Kumar Reddy so high. That’s because of his bowling. I still feel he’s a batter and not someone I rate with the ball,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.
What does Bumrah’s return mean for India ahead of the Asian Games?
Bumrah last featured for India during the ODI series in England in July 2026, before a left knee injury ruled him out of the subsequent tour of Sri Lanka. His inclusion in the Afghanistan T20I squad, even with a fitness clearance still pending, has been viewed as a significant development by Badrinath ahead of the Asian Games gold medal defence.
“Bumrah’s return is a huge positive. It could also have been that Bumrah told the management that he wanted to play these three matches. Then they have to select him. We don’t know that. Bumrah might have spoken to Gambhir or the selection committee and said he wants to play because he hasn’t played cricket for long. So it could have been Bumrah’s option,” the former India cricketer said.
The series also serves as preparation for India’s Asian Games campaign later in September 2026, with the squad expected to double up for that assignment.
India’s full squad for the Afghanistan T20I series 2026
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*
*Subject to fitness clearance
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