India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been included in the squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, subject to his fitness.
The selectors have picked the same team that will represent India at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya later this month.
Where and when will the T20I matches take place?
Afghanistan will host India for three T20Is in New Delhi. The matches will be played on September 13, 15 and 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Allrounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, along with fast bowler Harshit Rana, have also been selected. However, their participation will depend on their fitness.
Why has Jasprit Bumrah been out of action recently?
Jasprit Bumrah is back in the team after missing matches because of a knee injury he suffered during India’s ODI series in England. He also missed the two-Test series in Sri Lanka. The 32 years old was advised to take a break by the BCCI medical team before the Sri Lanka tour. He had played through the IPL despite the knee problem and did not look at his best during the tournament.
How are selectors managing the workload of key senior players?
The selectors have been carefully managing Bumrah and Hardik Pandya’s workload with the 2027 ODI World Cup in mind. Both players are expected to play more ODIs, but the selectors remain open to bringing them back for important assignments.
What caused Harshit Rana’s recent injury break?
Harshit Rana is also returning after recovering from a right hamstring injury. He picked up the injury during the third T20I of India’s five-match series in England and missed the remaining games along with spinner Varun Chakravarthy.
How severe was Harshit Rana’s injury and where was he treated?
Scans later showed that Rana had suffered a Grade 1 hamstring injury. He was sent to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for treatment. A similar injury had previously kept the 24 years old out of the T20 World Cup, which India won for the second straight time and third time overall. Washington Sundar replaced Chakravarthy in the England series but later injured his hamstring during the third ODI against England. He has also been recovering at the Centre of Excellence.
What forced Nitish Kumar Reddy out of recent international tours?
Nitish Kumar Reddy missed India’s tours of Ireland and England in late June because of an injury. His problem became worse during the third ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai. The 23 years old was sent to the Centre of Excellence for at least a month but could not recover in time for the Sri Lanka series.
What is the current fitness status of the recovering players?
Reddy first suffered the injury during the opening ODI and was rested for the second match. He returned for the third game but felt discomfort after bowling six overs. Bumrah, Rana, Washington and Reddy are currently following the required Return to Play protocols before they can be cleared to compete.