Former captain Dilip Vengsarkar criticizes player selection, questioning the value of the Ranji Trophy

A historic friendly match in the T20 International format between India and Japan is scheduled for September 22 (Tuesday). Special attention in this match will be paid to the 15-year-old young player of the Indian team, Vaibha Suryanshi, from whom an explosive performance at the major arena is expected.

Vaibha Suryanshi has already attracted significant attention in the cricket world due to his aggressive play. His ability to quickly score runs at the beginning of the over period makes him a valuable player for the Indian squad. If he is given the opportunity to start the game against Japan, it is hoped that he will provide a quick start to the team.

This match will be the first international confrontation between India and Japan and will take place at the Sano International Cricket Stadium in Japan. It is organized in honor of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.

The Indian team has arrived for this historic match against Japan, as well as as part of the 2026 Asian Games campaign.

It is possible that the Indian team's coaching staff will give Vaibha Suryanshi a chance to start the game alongside Abhishek Sharma. Meanwhile, Sanju Samsana might be kept on the bench. Both players, Vaibha and Abhishek, are known for their aggressive playing style. It should be noted that in the recent T20 series against Afghanistan, Vaibha did not make the starting lineup in any of the three matches. However, he previously won the 'Player of the Series' title during his visit to Zimbabwe, where in July 2026, he scored a total of 151 runs across three matches.

Representatives of the BCCI, including President Mithun Manhas, met with His Excellency Ono Keiichi, the Japanese Ambassador to India in Delhi, before this historic bilateral T20I between Japan and India. The ambassador presented...

The Indian opening pair will try to put pressure on the Japanese bowlers from the very beginning of the match. Now it remains to be seen whether Vaibha will get a spot in the final squad against Japan.

The projected Indian squad includes Shreyas Iyer (captain), Vaibha Suryanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Yashas Thakur.

Following the conclusion of the three-match T20 series against Afghanistan, the India team's schedule will continue in 2026. According to the current BCCI schedule, after the matches with Afghanistan, the Indian team will play games against Japan, then participate in the Asian Games, and subsequently play against the West Indies, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.

The Indian team achieved a clean triumph in the three-match T20 series against Afghanistan, with all three encounters held at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The next target for the Indian squad is Japan, where a historic T20 International match is scheduled for September 22.

The match between India and Japan will be the first in the history of men's international cricket and will take place at the Sano International Cricket Stadium in Japan. This match will be held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.

Subsequently, the Indian team will participate in the 2026 Asian Games. The men's cricket discipline will be held in Japan from September 24 to October 3, and India has automatically qualified for the quarterfinals. The team's first match is scheduled for September 28.

During the Asian Games, India's domestic international season will begin. The team will play in a three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting on September 27. This will be followed by five T20 Internationals, which will take place from October 6 to October 17.

Immediately after the series with the West Indies, the Indian team will embark on a tour to New Zealand, which is scheduled approximately four years later. Five T20 matches and five ODI Internationals are planned there in October-November. Additionally, two Test matches will be played between the two countries. This series is of great importance for India's campaign in the Test Cricket World Cup.

At the end of the year, India will play a series of matches against Sri Lanka, including three ODIs and three T20 Internationals. Thus, the India team's schedule remains very busy into December.

According to the schedule, there are only 28 matches ahead. These matches include: a game against Japan (T20 on September 22), the first match at the Asian Games (September 28), the series against the West Indies (3 ODIs + 5 T20s), the tour to New Zealand (2 Tests + 5 T20s + 5 ODIs), and the series against Sri Lanka (3 ODIs + 3 T20s).

Details of the West Indies visit to India (September-October 2026): the first ODI is scheduled for September 27, 2026, in Tiruvannamalai, the second ODI is on September 30, 2026, in Guwahati, and the third ODI is on October 3, 2026, in Chandigarh. The T20 series will start on October 6, 2026, in Lucknow, with subsequent matches on October 9 in Ranchi, October 11 in Indore, October 14 in Hyderabad, and October 17 in Bangalore.

Schedule of India's tour to New Zealand (October-December 2026): the first two T20s are scheduled for October 22 and 24 in Christchurch, the third T20 is on October 27 in Wellington, the fourth T20 is on October 30 in Auckland, and the fifth T20 is on November 1 in Hamilton. The ODI series will take place on November 4, 2026, at Eden Park, Auckland, November 7 in Wellington, November 10 at Seddon Park, Hamilton, November 13 at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, and November 15 at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. The Test matches will be held from November 19–23 in Wellington and November 27–December 1 in Christchurch.

India's visit to Sri Lanka (December 2026): three ODIs are scheduled for December 13, 2026, in Delhi, December 16 in Bangalore, and December 19 in Ahmedabad. The T20 series will take place on December 22, 2026, in Rajkot, December 24 in Katak, and December 27 in Pune.

The Indian team has faced a major setback ahead of the upcoming three-match T20 series against Afghanistan, which begins on September 13. The participation of fast bowler Harshit Rana in this series appears highly unlikely. Although Rana was included in the squad, he is suffering from a hamstring injury, and his availability depends entirely on his physical condition.

Harshit Rana last played for India during their tour of England, after which he began experiencing problems with his hamstring. A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed PTI that Rana has not fully recovered from the injury and will require additional time to return to the field.

Harshit Rana's selection for the T20 series against Afghanistan is conditional upon receiving medical clearance. Furthermore, as he is also scheduled to participate in the Asian Games, the team management is unwilling to rush matters regarding his fitness. Consequently, his participation in the Asian Games in Itenagare is also not guaranteed.

Alongside Harshit Rana, spin all-rounder Washington Sundar was also suffering from a hamstring injury. However, Sundar has made a full recovery and will be available for the series against Afghanistan. This is a relief for the Indian team, although Rana's absence may be felt in the fast bowling department.

Good news regarding Nitish and Bumrah

The most encouraging news for the Indian team concerns fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and batting all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Both players were included in the squad based on their physical condition for the series against Afghanistan, and according to BCCI sources, they are progressing well toward a return. Bumrah sustained a left knee injury during the tour of England in July, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is recovering from a quadriceps injury. The health of both players is under constant monitoring.

All three matches of the T20 series between India and Afghanistan will be held at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Following this, India will play a single T20 International match against Japan in Tokyo on September 22. The Indian team's campaign at the Asian Games will commence on September 28. The team management is likely to wait for Harshit Rana's full recovery rather than risking his health.

The Indian squad for the T20 series against Afghanistan includes: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma (Vice-Captain), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar*, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana*.