Bumrah, Samson Return as Hardik Misses Afghanistan T20I Series in Delhi

Hardik Pandya’s return to India’s T20I setup has been delayed once again, with the star all-rounder left out of the squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan in Delhi.

Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah have been recalled, although Bumrah’s participation will depend on his fitness. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma named his deputy.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana have also been included subject to fitness clearance. Varun Chakaravarthy, meanwhile, has recovered from a hamstring injury and returns to the squad.

The Afghanistan series, classified as an away assignment, will be played from September 13 to 17, with all three T20Is scheduled to take place in Delhi.

INDIA 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*

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Sanju Samson returns to the T20I squad after missing the Zimbabwe series.
• Hardik Pandya has suffered another setback during his rehabilitation.
• Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana have been selected subject to fitness clearance.
• Varun Chakaravarthy returns after recovering from a hamstring injury.
• All three T20Is against Afghanistan will be played in Delhi.

HARDIK PANDYA SUFFERS ANOTHER SETBACK

Hardik last represented India in the T20 World Cup final this year, while his most recent competitive appearance came for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 on May 24.

The all-rounder was initially selected for India’s three-match ODI series against Afghanistan at home but was forced to withdraw after suffering a leg strain. The injury subsequently ruled him out of India’s white-ball assignments in Ireland and England, which included eight T20Is and three ODIs.

Hardik had been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and was working towards regaining full fitness. However, according to a report by The Times of India, he suffered a fresh leg niggle shortly before the squad announcement.

The latest setback has reportedly forced Hardik to put his bowling on hold. The BCCI’s squad announcement did not include the all-rounder and provided no timeline for his return.

BCCI CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FACES FRESH QUESTIONS

Hardik’s latest injury setback is likely to raise further questions about the BCCI Centre of Excellence and its handling of player rehabilitation.

The all-rounder has spent an extended period in Bengaluru as part of his recovery and had even shifted his base to the city to focus on his rehabilitation.

Questions have also resurfaced over communication between the Centre of Excellence’s sports science and medical teams and the senior men’s selection committee. Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the Sri Lanka Test series has been another recent point of concern.

The selectors were reportedly expecting Bumrah to be fit and available for the series, which was scheduled to begin on August 15. They were later informed that the pacer’s injury was more serious than initially expected, ruling him out of the assignment.

The BCCI is also operating without a permanent head of sports science after Nitin Patel stepped down. Dhananjay Kaushik, the interim sports science chief, is currently overseeing the department at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Kaushik brings significant experience to the role, but the latest injury setbacks have again prompted scrutiny over rehabilitation timelines and whether established ‘Return to Play’ protocols are being followed consistently.