Shreyas Iyer Jasprit Bumrah (Source: AFP)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The Shreyas Iyer-led side will face Ibrahim Zadran’s Afghanistan in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17.
There have been several changes to India’s squad compared to the group that toured Zimbabwe in July. While some players have returned after missing the previous series, others have been left out of the setup. Moreover, Hardik Pandya remains unavailable due to fitness concerns.
The Afghanistan series will also see the return of some senior names, including Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson, while four players have been included subject to fitness clearance.
Here is a look at the full list of changes in India’s T20I squad compared to the Zimbabwe tour.
India T20I Squad Changes Against Afghanistan
India have retained seven players from the Zimbabwe tour, including captain Shreyas Iyer, vice-captain Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube and Varun Chakaravarthy.
However, eight players from the Zimbabwe squad have made way for eight new names. The most notable changes include Sanju Samson’s return, Hardik Pandya’s continued absence and the comeback of Jasprit Bumrah.
India’s squad for Afghanistan T20I series: 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)
Also read: Deserving Players Who Missed Out On India's Squad For Afghanistan T20I Series 2026
India’s squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Varun Chakaravarthy, Prince Yadav, Yash Thakur, Ashok Sharma, Mayank Yadav, Prabhsimran Singh (WK).
1) Sanju Samson Returns, Prabhsimran Singh Out
Sanju Samson is back in India’s T20I squad after missing the Zimbabwe tour. The wicketkeeper-batter was dropped from the previous squad following a difficult run on the European tour.
He was replaced in the Zimbabwe squad by Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh, who had enjoyed an impressive IPL 2026 season, scoring 510 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 168.87.
Prabhsimran has now made way for Samson, who will compete with Ishan Kishan for the wicketkeeper’s spot against Afghanistan.
2) Rinku Singh Makes Way For Axar Patel
Rinku Singh returned to the Indian squad for the Zimbabwe tour after missing the Ireland and England assignments. However, he has once again been left out for the Afghanistan series.
Axar Patel, who was rested from the Zimbabwe tour, has returned to the setup. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives India another dependable all-round option.
Also read: Undeserving Players Picked In India's T20I Squad Vs Afghanistan
Rinku’s omission is notable given his finishing ability, especially with the team already missing Hardik Pandya. He was among the players considered unlucky to miss out.
3) Suryansh Shedge Replaced By Washington Sundar
Suryansh Shedge was part of India’s squad for Zimbabwe but has not been retained for the Afghanistan series.
Washington Sundar has instead returned to the squad, although his participation is subject to fitness clearance. His off-spin and batting ability could be particularly useful against an Afghanistan side featuring several quality spin options.
4) Harsh Dubey Makes Way For Nitish Kumar Reddy
Harsh Dubey was another player included in India’s Zimbabwe squad who has been left out this time around.
Nitish Kumar Reddy has returned to the group after missing the previous tour due to persistent injuries. However, like Washington Sundar, the all-rounder needs to prove his fitness before being cleared to play.
His return gives India another seam-bowling all-rounder and could help address the balance created by Hardik Pandya’s continued absence.
5) Prince Yadav Dropped, Jasprit Bumrah Returns
Prince Yadav, who had earned his place after an impressive IPL 2026 season, has been left out of the Afghanistan squad.
Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile, has been included after missing the Zimbabwe tour. The premier fast bowler is currently subject to fitness clearance but could provide India with a major boost if available.
Prince had picked up nine wickets in six T20Is after being fast-tracked into the national setup. He also impressed against Zimbabwe before suffering an injury.
6) Yash Thakur Out, Harshit Rana In
Yash Thakur received his maiden international call-up for the Zimbabwe series but has not been retained for the three T20Is vs Afghanistan.
Harshit Rana has instead returned to India’s T20I squad after a series of injuries. The pacer, however, is also still subject to fitness clearance.
His return provides India with another pace option alongside Arshdeep Singh and potentially Bumrah.
7) Ashok Sharma Dropped, Ravi Bishnoi Returns
Ashok Sharma received his maiden international call-up for the Zimbabwe tour but has now been left out.
Ravi Bishnoi has returned to the squad, giving India another specialist spin-bowling option. With Afghanistan boasting dangerous spinners of their own, Bishnoi’s ability to attack through the middle overs could be important.
8) Mayank Yadav Out, Arshdeep Singh Back
Mayank Yadav was included in the Zimbabwe squad but has been replaced by Arshdeep Singh for the Afghanistan series.
Arshdeep was rested from the Zimbabwe assignment but returns as one of India’s leading left-arm pace options. His ability to swing the new ball and bowl effectively at the death adds experience to India’s bowling attack.
