The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member squad for India’s upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan.
The three-match series will begin on September 13. All three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the Indian team. Tilak Varma has been named his deputy. Sanju Samson has also returned to the squad after missing the previous tour.
India now have several opening options. Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Samson and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are all part of the squad.
Bumrah and Three Others Await Fitness Clearance
Jasprit Bumrah is among four players whose participation depends on fitness clearance. Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana are the other three players awaiting medical clearance from the Centre of Excellence.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya were reportedly in contention for a return. However, neither player has been selected.
The batting unit includes Iyer, Tilak, Abhishek, Samson, Kishan and Shivam Dube. Dube is expected to provide an extra option in the middle order.
The pace attack features Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. Nitish could also contribute with the ball if he receives clearance. His bowling workload will be closely watched after his recent back injury.
Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy are expected to play key roles in the spin department. Washington Sundar is another option with his off-spin. Ravi Bishnoi has also been selected.
Afghanistan will host the series. However, all three matches will take place in New Delhi.
India’s squad: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar*, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana*.
The first T20I will be played on September 13 at 7:30 PM IST. The second is on September 15, followed by the third on September 17.
