Captain Shreyas Iyer revealed details of player selection for starting positions in the match against Afghanistan

Good news for the Indian team has emerged before the upcoming three-match T20 series between India and Afghanistan: all-rounder Washington Sundar has been declared fit to play. Meanwhile, the health status of star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah remains uncertain.

Washington Sundar will be able to participate in the three-match T20 series against Afghanistan. His return after injury is a positive development for India.

As for Jasprit Bumrah, he still needs to undergo a match simulation (training session). According to available information, he might complete this check on September 9th. Following this, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will make a final decision regarding his physical condition and participation in the series against Afghanistan.

The wait for updates also concerns Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy. These three players are included in the squad for the series against Afghanistan, but a final decision on their readiness has not yet been made.

Additionally, Hardik Pandya is part of the squad but currently cannot play cricket due to a leg muscle strain sustained earlier this year during the IPL.

The three-match T20 series between India and Afghanistan starts on September 13th. The subsequent matches are scheduled for September 15th and 17th. Before the start of the series, the Indian team's focus is on Bumrah's health report.

The Indian squad for the series against Afghanistan includes Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Verma (vice-captain), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Akshar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana*. Asterisks (*) indicate players whose participation depends on their health status.

India vs Afghanistan Series Schedule:

• First T20 — September 13, 2026, Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi)
• Second T20 — September 15, 2026, Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi)
• Third T20 — September 17, 2026, Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi)

Discussions regarding the player selection process began after the announcement of the Indian team's squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Former Indian player S. Badri Nat raised questions concerning the inclusion of Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the team. Furthermore, he indirectly pointed to head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Badri Nat shared his opinion on the selection, casting doubt on the consistent support received by Sundar. On his YouTube channel, he noted that it seems like the 'coach's favourite' has returned once again. Badri Nat advised Sundar to take advantage of this trust.

Badri Nat's implied hint was directed at the team management and, specifically, the coaching staff. However, he did not level direct accusations against Gautam Gambhir.

Badri Nat also spoke about Nitish Kumar Reddy, focusing his criticism on his bowling performance. He stated that he does not rate Nitish highly, and the reason for this is his bowling. In Badri Nat's view, Nitish is fundamentally a batter, not a all-rounder who should be highly valued for his bowling skills. Thus, Badri Nat's objection is more related to Nitish's bowling abilities than his batting.

Washington and Nitish were included in the Indian team's 15-man squad for the T20I matches against Afghanistan. The first match of the series is scheduled for September 13 in Delhi. This series takes place during a period when the Indian team is making several changes ahead of defending its gold medalist status at the Asian Games, which will be held in Japan at the end of this month.

The series against Afghanistan is also considered important for assessing the team composition and testing the players. Alongside the criticism of the selection, Badri Nat expressed satisfaction with the possible return of Jasprit Bumrah to the Indian team, calling it positive news. Bumrah has been included in the squad for the series against Afghanistan, but his participation depends on receiving clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Additionally, Harshit Rana was included in the team. The participation of Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana in the series depends on passing the respective medical examinations. The first match of the three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan will take place on September 13 in Delhi. In this series, the Indian team will be preparing for the Asian Games, while everyone will be watching for Bumrah's possible return. Nevertheless, the selection of players like Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy has already caused heated debate before the start of the series.

The Indian team is preparing to participate in the 2027 Kangaroo Cricket World Cup. Although the team's performance in the 2023 World Cup was impressive, they were unable to win the title in the final match.

Former South African cricketer Johnny Roads, considered one of the greatest fielders in cricket history, shared some important insights regarding the Indian team. In a recent interview, he emphasized that the experience of Rohit Sharma and the passion of Virat Kohli will be extremely significant for India in the 2027 World Cup.

The 2027 World Cup will take place in South Africa. Johnny noted that in large-scale competitions like the World Cup, relying solely on good form and talent is not enough. The pressure is very high in such tournaments. He mentioned that he participated in four World Cups and knows how intense this process can be. While players remain physically fit, mental resilience is crucial.

In Roads' opinion, having an experienced player like Rohit Sharma will significantly strengthen the Indian team. Expressing admiration for Virat Kohli, Roads called him a true winning player. He stated that, similar to Australia, Virat has a strong desire to win. Roads considers him one of the best running players in the world who loves competing on the field, and it is this aggressiveness that sets him apart from others.

Discussing young captain Shubman Gill, Johnny offered valuable advice. He explained that being a leader does not mean doing everything alone. Gill should not hesitate to consult with veterans on the team like Rohit and Virat. Nevertheless, Johnny also stressed that the final decision always rests with the captain, which is the most difficult task.

The event will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Commenting on the venues, Johnny noted that the pitches there are very good, and the ball bounces well off the bat. Roads believes that Indian batsmen, who currently play scoop shots and ramp shots, will gain a significant advantage on the South African pitches.