All-round support for India ahead of Afghanistan T20I; Jasprit Bumrah remains on track

India are all set to get a big boost ahead of the T20I series against Afghanistan starting later this month. All-rounders Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy are fit and available for selection, while Washington Sundar is nearing the necessary clearance for the matches from September 13 in Delhi. It is reliably learned that both Pandya and Reddy are training intensively at the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) and working at full capacity as they prepare to return to international cricket.As for Washington Sundar, he spent the weekend in Chennai and will report to the CoE this week to prove his fitness ahead of selection. The men’s selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, is likely to meet this week to pick the team for the three T20Is.“The practical target is the T20Is against Afghanistan and this will allow Washington Sundar to return to the shortest format squad. His workload has gradually increased in recent weeks and he could be available for selection for the three T20Is,” says a source following the development.“Both Reddy and Pandya have been in the CoE for a very long time and only take breaks due to personal commitments. Reddy comes home only on weekends, while Pandya has moved to Bengaluru anyway,” adds the source.However, all eyes are on Jasprit Bumrah. The fast bowler missed the two Tests against Sri Lanka earlier this month and the management wants to handle him very carefully with a view to the two Tests against New Zealand later this year. A 32-year-old man is training for CoE. While the Afghanistan T20Is could be touch and go, the Asian Games shouldn’t face any availability issues unless there are late hiccups during his rehabilitation.“Bumrah is progressing well. In the build-up to the 2027 World Cup, the plan was to focus on ODIs and Tests, but since the knee injury, the management wants to ease him back into the shortest format first. He is being watched closely, and while the Afghanistan T20I could be too close for comfort, the Asian Games seem highly likely, assuming there are no late surprises,” he explains.Is Krunal Pandya back in the mix?After recent tours in Ireland and England, the Indian team management is exploring the options of left-arm spinners in the shortest format. Axar Patel played all seven matches and had an average return: two wickets in four T20Is against England and two wickets in two T20Is against Ireland. Krunal Pandya is under discussion and his return to the T20I line-up would not be a surprise.Krunal, who last played for India in the 2021 T20 series against Sri Lanka, has been very impressive in the IPL, taking 14 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 edition. It now remains to be seen whether the selectors will go back to the proven performer as they search for the right candidate for the key left-arm spinner spot.