Cricket

India receive fitness boost ahead of Afghanistan T20I series

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 31, 2026, 12:36 IST

Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy are set for a return to the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, while management continues to monitor Jasprit Bumrah’s rehabilitation progress.

India receive fitness boost ahead of Afghanistan T20I series

The Indian national cricket team is poised for a significant personnel boost ahead of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which is scheduled to commence on September 13 in Delhi. Key all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy have been confirmed as fit and available for selection, marking a positive development for the side as they finalize their squad preparations.

Both players have been undergoing intensive training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Reports indicate that they are currently operating at full capacity, having dedicated significant time to their rehabilitation and conditioning programs at the facility. Their return is expected to provide the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, with much-needed depth as they prepare to meet this week to finalize the roster for the Afghanistan fixtures.

Fitness updates on Sundar and Bumrah

In addition to the returning all-rounders, Washington Sundar is nearing a return to international action. After spending time in Chennai, the spinner is expected to report back to the CoE this week to undergo final fitness assessments. Sources close to the team management suggest that the T20I series against Afghanistan is viewed as an ideal opportunity for Sundar to reintegrate into the setup, with his training workload having been managed and increased steadily over the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, the status of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah remains a primary focus for the team management. Having missed the recent Test series against Sri Lanka, the 32-year-old is being handled with caution as the board prioritizes his long-term fitness for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. While his participation in the Afghanistan T20Is is considered uncertain, his recovery is progressing well. The current rehabilitation plan aims to ease him back into competitive cricket, with the Asian Games identified as a likely target for his return, provided there are no setbacks in his recovery.

Spin options under review

As the selection committee evaluates the squad, the team management is also exploring alternatives for the left-arm spinner position. Following the recent tours of Ireland and England, where Axar Patel claimed four wickets across six matches, the selectors are reportedly considering Krunal Pandya for a potential recall. Krunal, who last represented India in 2021, has been a consistent performer in the IPL, notably securing 14 wickets for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the 2026 season. Whether the selectors opt to bring the experienced campaigner back into the fold remains a key point of discussion ahead of the official squad announcement.