India are gearing up for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, with the opening game scheduled to be played in Delhi on September 13, 2026. With the senior selection committee expected to name the squad this week, attention has turned to which players could make the cut.
While several established names are likely to feature, recent domestic performances and fitness updates from the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru could open the door for a few surprise selections ahead of the all-important
assignment against Afghanistan.
Here are 3 players who could be unexpected inclusions for AFG vs IND T20I series:
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy, the right-handed batting all-rounder who bowls right-arm medium-fast, made his T20I debut on October 6, 2024, against Bangladesh. His last T20I appearance came on January 22, 2025, against England, and he has since been on the fringes of the national setup.
Both Reddy and Hardik Pandya have been declared fit following training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Reddy, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Andhra in domestic cricket, was also part of India's squad for the only Test against Afghanistan in June 2026 in New Chandigarh. At 23 years old, he brings a combination of batting depth and medium-fast bowling that could appeal to the selectors for the T20I format.
2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumarcould also emerge as one of the more surprising names in contention for India’s T20I squad. The veteran pacer has not played for India since November 2022, with his last appearance coming against New Zealand in Napier. However, he has remained a prominent figure in domestic and franchise cricket, proving he still has plenty to offer in the shortest format.
Bhuvneshwar has been particularly effective in T20 cricket throughout his career, combining his trademark swing and accuracy with variations that have kept him effective even as his pace has declined. He has 90 T20I wickets in 87 matches at an impressive economy rate of 6.96, while his IPL numbers also highlight his longevity and consistency.
1. Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya has been in the discussion for a T20I comeback, and a few media reports suggest that the selectors are considering him for the Afghanistan series. His last T20I appearance for India was nearly five years ago, when he played against Sri Lanka in July 2021, making any recall a notable development.
The left-hander was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's squad during their back-to-back IPL title-winning campaigns in 2025 and 2026. Whether he makes the final squad for the Afghanistan T20I series remains to be seen, but his name being in the frame itself signals a potential shift in selection thinking.
