Shreyas Iyer will captain the 15-member side, while Tilak Varma serves as vice-captain for the three-match series in Delhi.
India have recalled several experienced players, including pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Senior players return for Afghanistan challenge
The selection represents a clear strengthening of the group that toured Zimbabwe in July. India have restored several frontline options across the pace, spin and wicketkeeping departments while retaining younger players who remain part of the team’s long-term T20 plans.
Bumrah’s return is the most significant development in the bowling department. The fast bowler has been named alongside Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi give India two attacking wrist-spin options. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar add all-round depth and control through the middle overs.
Sanju Samson returns to wicketkeeping group
Samson, who was not part of the Zimbabwe T20I squad, returns as one of India’s two designated wicketkeepers alongside Ishan Kishan. His selection intensifies competition for places at the top of the order, where Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are also available.
The combination gives the team management several possible opening pairs. Samson and Kishan can both keep wicket and bat at the top, while Abhishek offers explosive left-handed batting and a useful spin option. Sooryavanshi’s continued inclusion reflects the selectors’ confidence in the young batter after his recent opportunities in Zimbabwe.
India’s 15-member T20I squad
An asterisk indicates that participation is subject to fitness clearance.
Four players await fitness clearance
The BCCI confirmed that Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana have been selected subject to fitness clearance. Their availability will influence India’s final balance, particularly the combination of seam-bowling and spin-bowling all-rounders.
If all four are cleared, India will have significant tactical flexibility. Shivam Dube and Nitish can provide seam-bowling support, while Axar and Washington offer spin, batting depth and matchup options against Afghanistan’s middle order.
India vs Afghanistan T20I schedule
Afghanistan will officially host the series, but every match will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Keeping the entire series at one venue will reduce travel and allow both teams to adapt quickly to local pitch and weather conditions.
Eight changes from the Zimbabwe tour
India have made eight changes from the squad that played the July T20Is in Zimbabwe. Rinku Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Harsh Dubey, Prabhsimran Singh, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma are not part of the Afghanistan series.
Sanju Samson, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana come into the group. The changes give the side substantially more international experience without closing the door on emerging names such as Sooryavanshi.
Afghanistan remain a dangerous opponent
Afghanistan will be led by Ibrahim Zadran in his first assignment as the country’s full-time T20I captain. The return of fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq following injury strengthens their attack, while experienced all-rounder Gulbadin Naib adds depth to the middle order.
Conditions in Delhi could also bring Afghanistan’s spin resources into the contest. India’s ability to rotate strike through the middle overs and the final composition of their all-rounders—may therefore become decisive across the three matches.
The squad combines experience, power and variety, but the selectors have also left several questions open. The wicketkeeper position, the opening combination and the final bowling balance are all likely to be closely watched when the series begins on September 13.
