Jasprit Bumrah Returns as India Name T20I Squad for Afghanistan Series, Hardik Pandya Misses Out

India have announced a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, with Jasprit Bumrah returning but Hardik Pandya missing out due to fitness concerns.

Shreyas Iyer to Lead India

Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain, with Tilak Varma named vice-captain. The series will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17.

Bumrah's return is the biggest boost for India's bowling attack. Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy have also returned to the squad.

Hardik Pandya, however, has not been selected as he continues to face fitness issues. His absence leaves India without one of their established pace-bowling all-rounders for the series.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Retained

Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has retained his place in the T20I squad. The 15-year-old impressed against Zimbabwe earlier this year and remains part of India's plans in the shortest format.

Sanju Samson also returns, while Ishan Kishan is the other wicketkeeping option. The squad includes four all-rounders in Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.

India Squad for Afghanistan T20Is

Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.

Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are subject to fitness clearance.

Three Matches in Delhi

The Afghanistan series will be played entirely in New Delhi, with the first T20I scheduled for September 13, followed by the second on September 15 and the final match on September 17.