India squad for Afghanistan T20Is: Sanju Samson Returns; Bumrah, Rana included with question marks

Sanju Samson has returned to the Indian side as the BCCI named its squad for the upcoming T20I encounter against Afghanistan.

The BCCI on Tuesday named a 15-member India squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi from September 13 to 17.

Afghanistan will serve as official hosts for the series, which also serves as preparation for the Asian Games later this month.

Shreyas Iyer retains captaincy, Tilak Varma as vice-captain

The batting unit blends youth and experience. Abhishek Sharma and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi form a high-intent opening pair, while Sanju Samson returns as a wicketkeeper-batter after being omitted from the Zimbabwe tour. Ishan Kishan provides a second keeping option.

The middle order is anchored by Iyer, Varma and power-hitter Shivam Dube.All-round balance comes from Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. The spin attack features mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy and wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi.

Pace duties are led by Jasprit Bumrah and left-armer Arshdeep Singh, with Harshit Rana offering variety through his cutters.Bumrah's inclusion, subject to fitness clearance, is the headline selection. The premier fast bowler has been sidelined since injuring his knee during the ODI series in England and missed the subsequent Test tour of Sri Lanka. Reddy, Sundar and Rana also carry fitness caveats after rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Hardik Pandya continues to recover from a quadriceps injury and is not part of the squad.Selectors have trimmed several names from the Zimbabwe series, including Rinku Singh, to assemble a more settled group that will double as the Asian Games squad. The combination offers batting depth, all-round options and a balanced bowling attack capable of handling Afghanistan's spin-heavy threat led by Rashid Khan.

India start as favourites on home soil, but the series will test squad depth and fitness of key returnees ahead of a demanding schedule. Three closely spaced matches in Delhi will demand consistency and adaptability from both sides.

India Squad for Afghanistan T20Is

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*

*All asterisk players' inclusion are subject to fitness