Archive · 13 Sep 2026
India Weigh Bumrah Workload and Opening Options Before Asian Games
India is preparing to play Afghanistan in three T20 cricket matches.
The series begins in New Delhi on Sunday.
The team wants to get ready for the Asian Games later this month.
Jasprit Bumrah has returned after a left knee injury.
India must decide how many games he should play before the Asian Games begin.
The team also has to choose its opening batters.
Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have been performing well, but Sanju Samson could return.
Ishan Kishan has a small injury problem, but captain Shreyas Iyer expects him to be ready.
India will begin a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi on Sunday.
Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the squad after a left knee injury sustained during the ODI series in England in July.
Team management must decide how many matches Bumrah should play with India’s Asian Games opener on September 28.
India are also weighing whether Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should continue opening or Sanju Samson should return.
Ishan Kishan is expected to recover from a minor niggle after rest, following his strong Duleep Trophy final performance.
- Who
- India, led by captain Shreyas Iyer, will play Afghanistan; Jasprit Bumrah and several opening-batter candidates are central to the selection decisions.
- What
- India will play a three-match T20I series while deciding Bumrah’s workload and its opening combination.
- When
- The series begins on Sunday, with India’s Asian Games opener scheduled for September 28.
- Where
- The first series is being played in New Delhi.
- Why
- India is using the series to prepare for the Asian Games while managing Bumrah’s return from injury and resolving selection questions.
Maintain the Current Combination
Change the Playing XI
Opening partnership
Maintain the Current Combination
Continue with Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi because they have been performing consistently.
Change the Playing XI
Bring Sanju Samson back into the XI, creating a three-way selection decision among the opening options.
Bumrah’s involvement
Maintain the Current Combination
Use Jasprit Bumrah in the series because he wants to perform for India and help the team win championships.
Change the Playing XI
Limit his appearances because the Asian Games opener is less than a fortnight away and he is returning from a left knee injury.
- Series
- Three T20Is between India and Afghanistan
- Venue
- New Delhi
- Bumrah status
- Returned to India’s squad after a left knee injury during the ODI series in England in July
- Asian Games opener
- September 28
- Opening options
- Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson
- Ishan Kishan
- Has a minor niggle and received rest before the first match
- India captain
- Shreyas Iyer