Bumrah included in India's Afghanistan T20I squad pending fitness clearance

India Name Near Full-Strength Squad for Afghanistan T20Is, Bumrah's Return Subject to Fitness

Jasprit Bumrah has been included in India's 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, though his participation remains subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. The fast bowler last featured in the format during the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in March.

Bumrah had missed the third ODI in England and the two-Test series in Sri Lanka after suffering a recurrence of an injury in his left knee, an issue he has had since the T20 World Cup earlier this year. His inclusion marks a major boost for the side, which will play all three matches in Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17, with Afghanistan serving as the official hosts of the bilateral series.

Eight Changes from Zimbabwe Tour

The selectors have made eight changes from the squad that toured Zimbabwe in July. Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel return after being rested from that series, with Samson named as one of two designated keepers alongside Ishan Kishan.

Rinku Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Harsh Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Ashok Sharma, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav and Yash Thakur were left out from the Zimbabwe squad.

Four Players Await Fitness Clearance

Along with Bumrah, three other players have been selected subject to fitness clearance: Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Rana and Washington had picked up hamstring injuries on the tour of England. Varun Chakaravarthy, who also sustained a hamstring injury during the third T20I against England and was withdrawn from the Zimbabwe tour, has been included in the squad.

Reddy had injured his quadriceps during the ODI series against Afghanistan in June.

Squad Composition and Leadership

Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma named vice-captain. The batting options include Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Samson, Kishan, Varma and Shivam Dube.

India have several all-round options in Axar Patel, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube, while Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi bolster the spin department. The squad bears a largely similar look to that from the England tour, with first-choice names in the bowling attack.

Hardik Pandya was not picked in the squad as he continues his recovery from injury.

Context of Recent Form

The defending ICC Men's T20 World Cup champions will be looking to return to winning ways after difficult recent T20I tours. India lost their series against Ireland 2-0 before suffering a 4-0 defeat in England, although they found success in Zimbabwe. The Afghanistan series offers India's T20I side an opportunity to regroup in familiar conditions.

Full 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 Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana* (*subject to fitness clearance)