Nitish Kumar Reddy Fit, Set to Play Afghanistan T20Is

Nitish Kumar Reddy, an Indian all-rounder, has received approval from BCCI medical personnel to join the Indian squad in Delhi on Thursday, September 11, ahead of the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.

The first match is slated for September 13 in the national capital. On Wednesday, September 9, the 23-year-old performed a final match simulation at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, passing all of the tests.

Nitish Kumar Reddy bowling workload during the simulation met all of the needed criteria, and the medical staff is confident that he is prepared for the demands of a complete series. He passed an initial fitness exam last week, which resulted in his selection to the Afghanistan T20I team. Wednesday’s session served as final confirmation of his availability.

The all-rounder’s last outing for India was in the ODI series against Afghanistan in June 2026, when he worsened a left quadriceps ailment. He received the injury while bowling in the first ODI in Dharamsala and was rested for the second match in Lucknow.

He returned for the third ODI in Chennai, but was again unable to play for an extended period of time due to discomfort. The setback prompted him to miss India’s white-ball series of Ireland and England.

What does Nitish Kumar Reddy return mean for India’s schedule after the Afghanistan series?

Nitish Kumar Reddy clearance has implications far beyond the three T20Is against Afghanistan. He is also named to India’s squad for the Asian Games, which begin on September 24.

The Indian contingent is slated to depart Delhi on September 18, providing team management a free window to evaluate him over Afghanistan’s fixtures before the multi-sport event begins.

India will also play a single T20I against Japan on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture as a warm-up for the Asian Games.

Reddy’s availability for all three assignments provides the squad with a more diverse set of alternatives in both the pace-bowling and lower-order batting departments.

How did India fare at the last Asian Games cricket tournament?

India won the men’s cricket gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The final was against Afghanistan, however severe weather prohibited play, and the match was called off without a ball being bowled.

India was declared the victor since they entered the final as the higher-seeded team, a normal tournament rule that applies when a crucial match cannot be finished. The 2018 Asian Games provide India with an opportunity to defend its championship, and Reddy’s comeback strengthens their roster for that campaign.

India’s full men’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games