India has received a positive update ahead of their three-match
The BCCI medical team confirmed Sundar's availability following a successful fitness assessment, which included a rigorous match simulation exercise at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on September 4. His return provides a significant boost to the squad as they prepare for the upcoming international fixtures.
Fitness status of Bumrah and others remains uncertain
While Sundar’s recovery is complete, the status of three other key players remains subject to further evaluation. Pacer
According to reports, the trio completed their first match simulation on Monday and are scheduled for a second session this Wednesday. A final determination regarding their participation in the Afghanistan series will be made by the medical staff following these assessments. Consequently, the final composition of the Indian squad may not be confirmed until just four days before the opening match of the series.
Context surrounding the squad selection
The fitness concerns for the group stem from various injuries sustained earlier in the season. Jasprit Bumrah has been recovering from a knee injury picked up during the white-ball tour of England, while Harshit Rana has been sidelined since July with a hamstring issue. Nitish Kumar Reddy has also faced a lengthy recovery period after missing recent tours to the UK and Sri Lanka due to a quadriceps injury.
The selectors have named a full-strength side for the Afghanistan series, which will be captained by Shreyas Iyer. Notably, star allrounder Hardik Pandya remains unavailable for selection as he continues his rehabilitation. The current squad is largely identical to the group selected to represent India at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
