Harshit Rana is unlikely to feature in India’s upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which begins on September 13 in New Delhi. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy have received a major boost after medical assessments showed positive signs about their recoveries.
Four players in the squad for the Afghanistan series are subject to fitness. India also have a busy schedule, including a one-off T20I against Japan and the Asian Games following the Afghan series. The BCCI will need to manage player workloads carefully as they recover from injuries and work towards full fitness.
Harshit Rana Ruled Out of Afghanistan T20Is After Fresh Injury
According to Cricbuzz, Harshit Rana suffered another injury setback during his rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The 24-year-old pacer was one of four players selected for the Afghanistan series, subject to fitness clearance.
Harshit Rana had also been picked for India’s Asian Games squad, but the injury could delay his return further. Harshit Rana missed the T20 World Cup and IPL 2026 after an earlier injury before returning during the Afghanistan ODI series.
According to PTI, Harshit Rana has not fully recovered from his hamstring injury and will need additional time before returning to competitive cricket.
“He has not yet fully recovered from his hamstring injury. He will need more time,” a BCCI source said.
Nitish Kumar Reddy Cleared to Join India Squad
Nitish Kumar Reddy has received a positive update after making good progress from his quadriceps injury. Cricbuzz reported that the 23-year-old all-rounder has passed his match-simulation tests and is expected to join the Indian team in New Delhi on Thursday, September 10.
Reddy has spent close to one and a half months at the CoE. He played one match last week and two more this week as part of his fitness assessment, with the medical team understood to be satisfied with his progress.
“He should be fine and get the all-clear from the CoE tomorrow,” a source told Cricbuzz. “Barring a last-minute twist, he should be joining the Indian team tomorrow.”
Reddy has also worked on his bowling during his recovery and has reportedly added some pace. He last played an international match during the ODI series against Afghanistan in June, when he aggravated his left quadriceps injury after initially picking up the problem while bowling in the first ODI in Dharamsala.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Afghanistan Return Remains on Track
Jasprit Bumrah is also expected to receive fitness clearance for the Afghanistan series. According to PTI, the fast bowler’s comeback remains on track after he suffered a knee injury during India’s ODI series in England in July.
Bumrah missed India’s Test tour of Sri Lanka after failing to recover in time. He is now expected to undergo a fitness test at the CoE on Thursday before joining the squad in Delhi.
“Both Bumrah and Reddy are on track for their comeback,” a BCCI source told PTI.
Washington Sundar is the fourth player whose selection for the Afghanistan T20Is remains subject to fitness clearance. The all-rounder is also likely to receive permission to play in the series.
