India announces full-strength T20I squad for Afghanistan series

India has announced a full-strength squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled to take place at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi from September 13 to 17, 2026. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain.

Selection decisions have drawn criticism from former players. Kris Srikkanth argued that the decision to field a full-strength squad is a “desperation move” following recent losses to Ireland and England, suggesting the series should have been used to develop younger talent. Similarly, S. Badrinath questioned the inclusion of Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, suggesting head coach Gautam Gambhir’s preferences may have influenced the picks.

Several key players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana, are currently awaiting final fitness clearance from the Centre of Excellence. Simulation tests are expected to be conducted to ensure they are match-ready.

Notably, India will technically play as the ‘away’ team despite the matches being held in New Delhi. Due to security concerns, Afghanistan continues to use Indian venues as their home ground. This arrangement provides a significant financial boost to the Afghanistan Cricket Board through media rights and ticket sales.