For the first time, Afghanistan will host India in an international series. Starting on September 13, the three-match Twenty20 International series will take place at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Afghanistan recently travelled to India for three ODI matches and one Test match, but they lost all of them against the Men in Blue.
There will be some players in the Indian squad itching to get game time against Afghans, but might not be able to break into the playing XI. Reasons might be team combinations, which players are required after seeing the pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and other factors. But we take a look at the three players who might not miss out in India XI for Afghanistan T20Is.
Here are the 3 Indian players who might not get their chance in the XI for AFG vs IND T20Is:
3. Ravi Bishnoi
Ravi Bishnoi, the wrist-spinner, has been named in Indian team for the Afghanistan T20Is. But he only took three wickets in three games in Zimbabwe and gave up 60 runs in one T20I against England. Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy, all of whom are superior spinners to Bishnoi, will compete with him in the XI.
2. Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar will be making his comeback in Indian squad after recovering from a hamstring injury during the England ODIs. He missed the Zimbabwe T20Is and the Sri Lanka Tests because of the same. He has been included subjected to fitness and even if he gets fit, he will be competing for spot with experienced Axar Patel and Harshit Rana, if India wants to go with pace bowling all-rounders.
1. Sanju Samson
After being controversially dropped from the Zimbabwe T20Is, Sanju Samson has returned to the Indian squad for the 2026 Asian Games and the Afghanistan T20Is. After winning Player of the Tournament at the 2026 T20 World Cup, Samson’s performance significantly declined. He made two ducks in two games against Ireland after having a respectable IPL 2026 season. After that, he was rested for the match against Zimbabwe and dropped during the England T20Is. With Ishan Kishan in the India team, it’s unclear if Samson will play.
