Gautam Gambhir Criticised as ‘Coach’s Favourites’ Return
Badrinath said that the selections were based on coach Gautam Gambhir‘s personal preferences rather than form or known T20I credentials.
Four players on the team, Jasprit Bumrah, Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana, are marked with an asterisk, indicating that they have yet to receive fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Center of Excellence.
Former India batter S Badrinath criticised the team announcement, questioning the selection of all-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
India has chosen a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which will take place at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on September 13, 15, and 17, 2026. Shreyas Iyer will head the team, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain and Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan as wicketkeeper possibilities.
Sundar has been a fixture in India lineups during Gautam Gambhir time as head coach, although his place in the T20I format remains debatable.
Badrinath acknowledged Sundar’s support but questioned whether it was totally merited given his level of prominence in the shortest format.
What does Bumrah’s return imply for India heading into the Asian Games?
Bumrah last played for India in an ODI series in England in July 2026, before a left knee injury kept him out of the ensuing tour of Sri Lanka. Badrinath sees his inclusion in the Afghanistan T20I team, despite the fact that a fitness clearance is still pending, as a big development ahead of his defence of the Asian Games gold medal.
The series also acts as training for India’s Asian Games campaign in September 2026, with the squad anticipated to double up for that event.
India’s whole team for the Afghanistan T20I series in 2026
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*
