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The India National Cricket Team has received a major boost ahead of their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, as the fast bowler Prince Yadav is now available for selection.
The young pacer had been enjoying a rapid rise since his impressive performances in IPL 2026. However, Prince’s progress was interrupted in July when he suffered a hamstring niggle while bowling in the second T20I against Zimbabwe. Amid this, Shubman Gill’s declaration plan was selfishly blocked by Gautam Gambhir in the Colombo Test.
Prince Yadav set to return to India selection race for Afghanistan Series
The hamstring injury forced Prince Yadav to miss the final T20I in Harare, but he is now fit enough to be considered again for the India selection. The Afghanistan National Cricket Team is all set to host the India National Cricket Team in a three-match T20I series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi.
As reported by an Aaj Tak journalist, Prince Yadav has successfully completed his rehabilitation and has also cleared the required fitness assessments. He has been given the green signal to return to action, making him available for selection for the T20I series against Afghanistan.
His return could be a huge boost for India's pace attack. With his ability to trouble batters with pace, Prince could be handed the call-up for the Afghanistan series, as the BCCI has not yet picked the squad for the three-match T20I series, starting on September 13.
VVS Laxman recalls India’s journey from CWG struggle to Asian Games Gold
Meanwhile, the National Cricket Academy (NCA) head, VVS Laxman, has recalled his special experience of being part of multi-sport events during his cricket career. It started for Indian cricket back in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, where Laxman was part of a star-studded team.
The squad had big names like Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Laxman, and Harbhajan Singh. However, despite having so many top players, India failed to cross the league stage. Amid this, BCCI issued a statement on sending ‘B team’ for the Asian Games 2026.
Around 25 years later, Laxman returned to the multi-sport stage, but this time as a coach. He guided India at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where the team created history by winning its first-ever gold medal in cricket at the Asian Games.
Laxman said at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, “My first experience of a multidisciplinary event was at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. The whole experience of being part of the Indian contingent feels really great, and that is the kind of experience every young cricketer should get. It's great that I've had that opportunity both as a player and coach.”
VVS Laxman reveals what made Asian Games experience truly special
Recalling the Hangzhou experience, Laxman said: “Obviously, it's not like your mainstream cricket series or tournaments that we've been part of since we started playing for the country. The Asian Games was a great experience and exposure because not often do we get to visit the Games village, meet a sportsperson from other disciplines, interact with them, and see how they train and prepare. A group of us went to support the Indian badminton team, which was fantastic.”
Now, India is ready for another Asian Games challenge. The Shreyas Iyer-led side will look to defend its title when the cricket action begins in Japan. India will start its campaign from the quarterfinal stage on September 28 at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture.
