Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Badrinath Questions Gambhir-Linked Picks in Afghanistan T20I Squad
India chose 15 players for three T20 cricket matches against Afghanistan.
The first match is scheduled for September 13 in Delhi.
Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy are included in the team.
Former India batter S Badrinath questioned whether they should have been selected.
He said Sundar has received a lot of support from Indian cricket.
He also said Reddy is better known as a batter than as a bowler.
Jasprit Bumrah may return after missing matches because of a left knee injury.
Bumrah and three other players still need fitness approval before they can play.
Badrinath said Bumrah’s return would help India before the Asian Games in Japan.
S Badrinath questioned India’s selection of Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy for the Afghanistan T20I series.
Badrinath suggested team-management preferences, including those of head coach Gautam Gambhir, may have influenced the choices.
He said Sundar has received significant backing and argued that Reddy is primarily a batter rather than a highly rated bowler.
Jasprit Bumrah, Sundar, Reddy and Harshit Rana must receive fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
Badrinath described Bumrah’s potential return as a major boost before India’s Asian Games gold-medal defence.
- Who
- Former India batter S Badrinath, head coach Gautam Gambhir, India’s selection committee and the selected players.
- What
- India announced a 15-player squad for a three-match Afghanistan T20I series, prompting Badrinath to question the selections of Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
- When
- The series is scheduled to begin on September 13; Bumrah last reportedly played in India’s ODI series in England in July.
- Where
- The opening match is scheduled for Delhi, while India’s Asian Games gold-medal defence is scheduled in Japan.
- Why
- Badrinath questioned Sundar’s continued backing and Reddy’s bowling credentials, while Bumrah’s possible return could give India competitive preparation before the Asian Games.
Badrinath’s Criticism
Selection Context
Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy’s inclusion
Badrinath’s Criticism
Badrinath questioned Sundar’s continued backing and said Reddy was primarily a batter whose bowling he did not rate highly.
Selection Context
Both players were included in the announced squad, but the articles provide no direct explanation from Gambhir or the selection committee for their selection.
Possible influence of team preferences
Badrinath’s Criticism
Badrinath suggested that the coach’s favourites were returning and that team-management preferences may have influenced the selections.
Selection Context
The articles present this as Badrinath’s suggestion; they do not establish that Gambhir or the selection committee selected the players for that reason.
Jasprit Bumrah’s return
Badrinath’s Criticism
Badrinath called Bumrah’s potential comeback a major positive and suggested Bumrah may have asked to play after being sidelined.
Selection Context
Bumrah’s participation is not confirmed because he still requires fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
- Fixture
- Three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan
- Start date
- September 13
- Opening venue
- Delhi
- Squad size
- 15 players
- Players awaiting clearance
- Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana
- Fitness authority
- BCCI’s Centre of Excellence
- Bumrah’s previous reported appearance
- India’s ODI series in England in July
