Fast bowler Navdeep Saini has opened up about concerns over Ishan Kishan’s fitness after the wicketkeeper-batter suffered an injury scare during India’s training session. Kishan felt discomfort in his lower back after ducking under a short delivery from Saini at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday.
Kishan had to end his batting session early and received attention from team physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain. However, the injury does not appear to be serious, with the wicketkeeper-batter expected to be available for India’s three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which begins in New Delhi on Sunday.
Navdeep Saini Plays Down Ishan Kishan Injury Concerns
Navdeep Saini, who was brought in as a net bowler for India’s upcoming series, checked on Ishan Kishan after the wicketkeeper-batter suffered an injury scare during the training session. Saini said the injury did not appear serious and backed Kishan to be fit for the series opener against Afghanistan.
“Me and Ishan have played together for quite a while. We know each other very well,” Navdeep Saini said. “I know his weaknesses, so I thought of exploiting it with a short ball. He couldn’t play it. I walked up to him later and asked him how he is doing. He said he is doing fine, so there is nothing to worry about.”
Kishan had looked in good touch during his 45-minute batting session and played confidently alongside India captain Shreyas Iyer. The left-hander then sat on an ice box before walking off the field without assistance. He received attention from team physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain.
Ishan Kishan Enters Afghanistan Series in Strong Form
Ishan Kishan will enter the three-match T20I series in excellent form after leading East Zone to the Duleep Trophy 2026 title. The wicketkeeper-batter finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, scoring 409 runs in three matches at an outstanding average of 102.25.
He scored a massive 270 in the first innings of the final against South Zone, followed by 80 in the second innings. Kishan won the Player of the Match award as East Zone secured the Duleep Trophy title for the first time in 13 years.
Kishan has scored 812 runs in 23 T20Is since his recall in January, making him the second-highest run-scorer in the format globally in 2026. He was also India’s second-highest run-scorer at the 2026 T20 World Cup and scored 145 runs during the recent tour of Zimbabwe.
India Face Top-Order Selection Dilemma Ahead of Afghanistan T20I
If Ishan Kishan is declared fit, India will have several strong options for the top order. The squad includes Kishan, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, leaving the team management with a difficult decision over the opening combination and top three.
Sooryavanshi enjoyed a productive tour of Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs at a strike rate of 196.10. Samson, meanwhile, has returned to the T20I squad after missing the Zimbabwe series and will be looking to reclaim his place in the playing XI.
Abhishek also remains a strong contender despite an inconsistent run for India during the UK tour and the Zimbabwe series. He found his form in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League 2026, where he smashed 242 runs in five matches at a remarkable strike rate of 268.89.
