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Krunal Pandya Says 'Hope Is Still Alive' After Missing Afghanistan T20I Squad
By Tertius News AI Desk2 distinct · 3 mastheads · 3 articlesVersion 2Coverage Published
Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya took to social media on Tuesday to express optimism about a potential return to the national team, shortly after the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan was announced. Despite media speculation that he could be recalled, Pandya was not included in the 15-member squad.
Posting on his Instagram handle, Pandya wrote, "Hope is still alive," accompanied by a fingers-crossed and an India flag emoji. The 35-year-old left-arm spinner last played for India in the 2021 T20I series against Sri Lanka. In his T20I career, he has scored 130 runs in five matches at an average of 65.00, including one fifty, and has taken two wickets.
The selectors opted for Axar Patel and Washington Sundar (subject to fitness) as spin all-rounder options, while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi were chosen as specialist bowlers. Pandya's recent performances in the IPL had kept him on the selectors' radar; he took 14 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 season and played a key role in their back-to-back title wins, including being named Player of the Match in the final of the previous season for figures of 2/17.
The squad also sees the return of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, subject to fitness clearance. Bumrah had been sidelined after sustaining an impact injury to his knee during India's ODI series in England. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana are also subject to fitness clearance. Hardik Pandya missed out after a late leg niggle.
Shreyas Iyer has been named captain of the squad, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. The full squad includes Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh.
The three T20Is will be played in New Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 13, 15, and 17. The series is part of Afghanistan's Future Tours Program and will be hosted in India.
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Framing: Highlights Krunal Pandya's optimism about returning to Team India despite not being selected for the Afghanistan series. — Optimistic and neutral
Facts Included:
Krunal Pandya posted a social media story expressing optimism for Team India return after the squad for the Afghanistan T20Is was announced on Tuesday.
He was not a part of the squad for the Afghanistan T20Is.
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are spin all-rounder options, while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi are specialist bowlers.
Krunal posted on Instagram: 'Hope is still alive'.
Krunal Pandya last featured for India in 2021.
He has taken two wickets in the format.
In the previous season, he was 'Player of the Match' in the final for his 2/17 in four overs.
Ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah returns to the squad, subject to fitness clearance, along with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana.
Framing: Highlights Krunal Pandya's optimism about returning to Team India following the Afghanistan series squad announcement. — optimistic but measured
Facts Included:
Krunal Pandya posted a social media story expressing optimism for Team India return after the squad for the Afghanistan T20Is was announced on Tuesday.
Krunal was not a part of the squad for the Afghanistan T20Is.
Krunal posted on Instagram: 'Hope is still alive' with a fingers-crossed and India flag emoji.
Krunal Pandya last featured for India in 2021.
He has also taken two wickets in the format.
In the previous season as well, Krunal was an instrumental name in RCB's maiden IPL triumph, becoming the 'Player of the Match' in the final for his 2/17 in four overs.
Ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah returns to the squad, subject to fitness clearance.
Bumrah's last international match came against England on July 16, at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
The series will get underway on September 13, with the second T20I scheduled for September 15 and the third on September 17.
All three matches will be played in New Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium.
The series is part of Afghanistan's Future Tours Program and will be played in India.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimKrunal Pandya posted a social media story expressing optimism for Team India return after the squad for the Afghanistan T20Is was announced on Tuesday.
ClaimKrunal Pandya has scored 130 runs in five matches and four innings at an average of 65.00 and a strike rate of 101.56, with one fifty and a best score of 58* in T20Is.
ClaimKrunal Pandya has represented India 19 times in T20Is, scoring 124 runs in 10 innings at an average of 24.80 and a strike rate of 130.52, with a best score of 26*, and taking 15 wickets at an average of 36.93 with best figures of 4/36.
ClaimIn the IPL 2026 season, Krunal Pandya scored 226 runs in nine innings at an average of 37.66 and a strike rate of 145.80, with a fifty and best score of 73.
ClaimKrunal Pandya played a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's back-to-back IPL title win, being instrumental in their maiden IPL triumph as well.
ClaimKrunal Pandya was RCB's second-highest wicket-taker in the previous season with 17 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 22.29, with best figures of 4/45.
ClaimKrunal Pandya scored 109 runs in seven innings at an average of 18.16 and a strike rate of 126.74, with a best score of 73* in the previous IPL season.
ClaimThe three T20I series between India and Aghanistan will start on September 13, with the second on September 15 and the third on September 17, all at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
2 distinct · 3 mastheads · 3 articles consulted: ANI (Asian News International), The Times of India, The Tribune30 claims extractedVersion 2Written 2026-09-01