India’s fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to feature in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Post the conclusion of the ongoing 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League, the Indian men’s cricket team is set to face Afghanistan in a one-off Test and three ODI matches. According to a report in news agency PTI on Sunday (May 17), Bumrah will either play the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh from June 6 to 10 or will miss the entire Afghanistan series.
Bumrah, who has 149 wickets to his name in 89 ODIs played so far, last featured in a 50-over match for the Men in Blue in the final of ODI World Cup 2023. In the fixture played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad against Australia on November
19, 2023, Bumrah picked up two wickets but failed to help India win the match and World Cup title as well.
He was picked up for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 but was later omitted from the squad due to fitness-related issues.
As per the latest PTI report on Sunday, if the BCCI medical team is fine with Bumrah’s workload, then the senior pacer will play the one-off Test, but there is absolutely no chance of him playing the three-match ODI series, looking at his workload during the ongoing IPL.
“If the medical team approves Bumrah’s workload is under permissible limits, he might play the Test match against Afghanistan. But there is no chance of him playing the ODI series. If there is the slightest issue with his workload, he will be rested for the full series,” a BCCI source privy to developments was quoted as saying by PTI.
Lucknow Super Giants fast bowler Prince Yadav, who represents Delhi in domestic cricket, has impressed with his bowling in IPL 2026, and there are reports that he could earn his maiden India call-up for the Afghanistan ODIs.
As per PTI, Prince hasn’t been picked for the tri-nation List A series in Sri Lanka next month because he is a serious contender to be picked for the ODI series against Afghanistan.
