Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Bumrah Set for Practice Matches Ahead of Afghanistan T20Is
Jasprit Bumrah and three other Indian cricketers are coming back after injuries.
They are scheduled to play practice matches in Bengaluru from September 4 to 9.
These matches will show whether they can safely handle the demands of competitive cricket.
The four players are Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy.
India is scheduled to play Afghanistan in three T20I matches starting September 13.
Bumrah’s place in the series depends on passing a fitness clearance test.
The Centre of Excellence believes the players should be ready, but the matches are still needed for confirmation.
Bumrah may also play a longer red-ball match before returning to Test cricket.
He could be rested for India’s home T20Is against West Indies in October, according to a report.
Jasprit Bumrah is expected to play practice matches in Bengaluru from September 4 to 9.
Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy are also scheduled for the fitness-assessment matches.
India’s three T20Is against Afghanistan are scheduled to begin in New Delhi on September 13.
The BCCI Centre of Excellence considers the four players clinically fit but requires match-based assessments before clearance.
Bumrah is expected to play a red-ball match before a possible Test comeback against New Zealand later this year.
- Who
- Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy, along with India’s medical and selection teams.
- What
- The four players are scheduled to undergo practice matches and match simulations as part of their fitness assessments.
- When
- The practice matches are scheduled for September 4-9, 2026; the Afghanistan T20Is are scheduled to begin on September 13, 2026.
- Where
- The practice matches are scheduled in Bengaluru, and the Afghanistan T20Is are scheduled in New Delhi.
- Why
- The assessments are intended to confirm that the players can withstand match workloads before returning to India duty.
Conditional Selection
Optimistic Fitness Assessment
Afghanistan availability
Conditional Selection
Bumrah has been selected subject to fitness clearance, and practice matches are required before he can be cleared for the Afghanistan T20Is.
Optimistic Fitness Assessment
The BCCI Centre of Excellence is reportedly confident that Bumrah and the three other players should be ready for the series.
Test comeback planning
Conditional Selection
The team management wants Bumrah to prove that his knee can withstand a first-class workload before playing a Test in New Zealand.
Optimistic Fitness Assessment
Bumrah is being considered for a Test comeback later this year after receiving match time in a red-ball or first-class game.
Injury management and scheduling
Conditional Selection
The recent injuries have raised concerns about player workloads, and the BCCI Centre of Excellence has faced criticism.
Optimistic Fitness Assessment
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the crowded cricket calendar would be considered when improving the Future Tours Programme to provide more rest and preparation time.
- Players involved
- Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy
- Practice-match dates
- September 4-9, 2026
- Practice-match venue
- Bengaluru
- Afghanistan series
- Three T20Is beginning in New Delhi on September 13, 2026
- Fitness status
- The BCCI medical team reportedly considers all four players clinically fit, subject to practice-match assessment and clearance.
- Bumrah’s Test preparation
- India’s team management wants Bumrah to play a red-ball or first-class match before a possible Test comeback against New Zealand later in 2026.
- Possible backup
- Prince Yadav has reportedly been lined up as a possible backup for Bumrah.
