Team India prepares for T20 against Afghanistan, names of 15 players in discussion
After a 1-0 win in the Test series against Sri Lanka, Team India’s focus is now on the three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan. The T20 series between India and Afghanistan will begin from September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The three matches of the series will be played on September 13, 15 and 17. However, the Indian team is yet to be officially announced by the BCCI. Meanwhile, the discussion about the names of the possible 15 players has become intense.
Watch Bumrah and Pandya return
The biggest question in the series against Afghanistan is the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Both the players are currently rehabilitating and practicing at BCCI’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. If both are fully fit then they can return to the team. However, nothing can be said for sure whether the two will be played in this series or not, keeping workload management in mind. The final decision will depend on the plan of fitness and team management.
Young faces from opening to middle order
All eyes will be on the opening pair of Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma in the prospective team. Both are known for aggressive batting and can provide quick starts in the powerplay. Prabhasimran Singh is also likely to get a place in the 15-man squad. Ishan Kishan may get a chance as a wicketkeeper. Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Verma and Rinku Singh can strengthen India in the middle order. Tilak is also tipped to get the vice-captainship and Shreyas the captaincy.
Watch these players in spin and fast bowling
Apart from Shivam Dubey as an all-rounder, Akshar Patel and Washington Sundar can play an important role in the team. Varun Chakraborty can also be an important option in the spin department. The fast bowling could include players like Arshdeep Singh along with Prince Yadav, Ishtan Krishna and Mayank Singh. If Bumrah and Hardik pass the fitness test, the bowling and all-round department of the team could be strengthened.
India’s probable 15-man squad
The probable squad for the three-match T20 series against Afghanistan includes Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Tilak Verma (Vice-Captain), Shivam Dubey, Rinku Singh, Akshar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varunavarthy Chakraborty, Prince Yadav, Washington Sundar, Ishan Krishna, Mayank Singh and Prabhasimran. Singh’s name is in discussion. However, this is a tentative squad and the names of the final players will be known only after the official announcement by BCCI. The last bilateral T20 series between India and Afghanistan was played in January 2024, with India winning 3–0.
