India's all-rounder pool gets a boost ahead of Afghanistan T20Is; Bumrah's return remains cautious

Fitness returns and selection plans

India are set to receive a significant boost ahead of the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, with all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy fit and available for selection, and Washington Sundar nearing the necessary clearances for the fixtures that begin September 13 in Delhi, as reported by The Times of India.

Both Pandya and Reddy have been training intensely at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) and are operating at full capacity as they prepare to return to international cricket, according to a source tracking developments. Speaking to The Times of India, the source noted that both players have been at the CoE for an extended period, with Reddy going home only on weekends and Pandya having moved his base to Bengaluru.

Washington Sundar, who spent the weekend in Chennai, is expected to return to the CoE this week for a fitness test before selection. The men's senior selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, is likely to meet this week to finalize the squad for the three T20Is against Afghanistan. A source tracking developments told NewsBytes that the practical target is the Afghanistan T20Is, which will allow Sundar to ease back into the setup with the shortest format.

Bumrah's cautious recovery

All eyes, however, remain on Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the two Tests against Sri Lanka earlier this month. The fast bowler has been training at the CoE, but the management intends to handle him with care, particularly with the two Tests against New Zealand later this year in mind, as reported by both NewsBytes and The Times of India.

"Bumrah is progressing well," a source told NewsBytes. "In build up to the 2027 World Cup, the plan was that he would focus on ODIs and Tests but since the knee injury," the source added, indicating a shift in approach. While Bumrah's participation in the Afghanistan T20Is remains uncertain, the Asian Games should not face any availability issues if there are no late hiccups during his rehabilitation, as reported by NewsBytes.

Left-arm spin options under consideration

Following recent performances in Ireland and England, the Indian team management is considering left-arm spinners for the shortest format, NewsBytes reported. Axar Patel, who played all seven games in those series, had four wickets across the T20Is against England and Ireland.

Krunal Pandya, who last represented India in the 2021 T20 series against Sri Lanka, is being discussed for the T20I squad, according to both NewsBytes and The Times of India. The all-rounder impressed in the IPL, taking 14 wickets for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 edition, with an economy rate of 41 and scoring 226 runs at an average of 66 and a strike rate of 80, as detailed by NewsBytes.