Bumrah included subject to fitness as Shreyas Iyer prepares to lead India in the three-match series in Delhi

India have announced a 15-member squad for their upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, with star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah included subject to fitness clearance. The entire series will be played in Delhi, giving the hosts a chance to regain momentum in familiar conditions.

The opening T20I is scheduled for September 13, followed by the second match on September 15 and the final game on September 17. Afghanistan have already announced their squad for the series, setting the stage for an important T20I contest between the two sides.

Shreyas Iyer has been named captain and will lead a squad that largely retains the core group that featured during India’s recent tours of Ireland and England. Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan provide several options at the top of the batting order.

Bumrah’s selection is one of the biggest talking points in the India squad for Afghanistan T20I series. The premier pacer missed India’s third ODI against England and was also unavailable during the team’s recent Test tour of Sri Lanka. His participation in the Afghanistan series will depend on receiving medical clearance.

Several other players have also been selected conditionally on their fitness. Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy suffered hamstring injuries during the third T20I against England, while Nitish Kumar Reddy has been recovering from a quadriceps injury. Washington Sundar is also returning from a leg injury.

India have maintained considerable depth in their all-round department, with Axar Patel, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube included in the squad. Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy further strengthen India’s options with both bat and ball.

The spin attack features Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, while Arshdeep Singh joins Bumrah and Harshit Rana among the pace-bowling options.

The reigning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions will be eager to produce a stronger performance after disappointing recent overseas campaigns. India drew mixed results on their recent tours, losing the Ireland series 2-0 and suffering a 4-0 defeat in England, while they managed success in Zimbabwe.

The Afghanistan series therefore provides India with an opportunity to rebuild confidence and return to winning ways ahead of their upcoming T20I commitments.