India received a major boost ahead of the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan with star pacer Jasprit Bumrah declared fit, while Harshit Rana has been ruled out due to a fresh injury.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on September 10, 2026, that Bumrah has cleared his fitness tests and will be available for the series, which begins on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Matches are scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17. Bumrah had been named in the squad subject to fitness clearance after missing the latter part of the ODI series in England in July due to a left knee issue and subsequently sitting out the Test series in Sri Lanka.
In contrast, fast bowler Harshit Rana has been ruled out of both the Afghanistan T20Is and the upcoming 2026 Asian Games. Rana was progressing well in his rehabilitation from a previous hamstring injury at the BCCI Centre of Excellence but sustained a rectus femoris strain while bowling during a match simulation on September 7. Vidarbha pacer Yash Thakur has been named as his replacement in both squads. Thakur made his T20I debut during India’s tour of Zimbabwe in July, taking four wickets in two matches.
All-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar have also received fitness clearance and are available for selection.
Shreyas Iyer will continue as captain, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. The updated 15-member squad for the Afghanistan T20Is 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, Yash Thakur.
Bumrah’s return strengthens India’s pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh and Thakur. The same core group is expected to feature at the Asian Games in Japan later this month. Workload management for Bumrah may be a consideration given the short turnaround between the three matches and the subsequent multi-nation event.
The series offers India valuable white-ball preparation, with Afghanistan designated as the official hosts despite all games being played in Delhi.
BCCI statements, India Today, ESPNcricinfo, Business Standard and other reports (as of September 10-11, 2026).
