BCCI names 15-man squad for Afghanistan T20I series
Bumrah and Samson return; Hardik Pandya misses out on fitness grounds.
The BCCI announced a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. The series begins on September 13. Jasprit Bumrah returns subject to fitness clearance. Sanju Samson also returns after missing the Zimbabwe tour. Hardik Pandya was ruled out after developing a leg niggle during rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy are also named subject to fitness clearance. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi retains his place. Four players in the 15-man squad, including Bumrah, are subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.
CricHubb Take
The squad shows the BCCI prioritising fitness verification over momentum. Four players wait for clearance, which means the final XI may shift days before the first match.