Image: Social media reacts as Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy return to India T20I squad for Afghanistan series / © Yardbarker
For the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, India are set to welcome back all-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy after both cleared their fitness tests and match simulations at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The 3-match series begins on September 13 and will serve as an important preparation period before India’s Asian Games campaign.
Sundar has been recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during the 2nd ODI against England in Cardiff in July, forcing him to miss the 2-Test series in Sri Lanka. Reddy last played for India in the home ODI series against Afghanistan in June before aggravating a left quadriceps injury. His recovery kept him out of tours to Ireland, England and Sri Lanka. There is still uncertainty around Jasprit Bumrah, who has been sidelined with a knee injury picked up while fielding against England.
Harshit Rana is also recovering from a hamstring problem. If either misses the series, local pacer Prince Yadav could be considered. Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Tilak Varma will join the squad after the Duleep Trophy final. India will later face Japan on September 22 before beginning their Asian Games gold medal defence on September 28.