In a massive blow to India, ace spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series against Afghanistan with a side strain, a BCCI source close to the information confirmed. Varun, 35, played the series opener at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday (Sep 13), which India won by seven wickets. The former top-ranked T20I bowler returned with figures of 1/16 in his four overs, having not conceded any boundaries.&nbsp;"Yes, Varun has been ruled out. He is out of the series. It is a fresh injury," a BCCI source confirmed to The Times of India (TOI).&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-2nd-t20i-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-in-india-1789382130416">IND vs AFG, 2nd T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India?</a>&nbsp;Varun last featured during India’s away tour of the UK in July this year. Part of the T20I squad, Varun played the first three matches before a hamstring injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tour. Varun missed all T20 action after that before being declared fit for the three-match series against Afghanistan.&nbsp;Earlier, Varun also reflected on his hamstring injury, saying, "This is actually my first-ever muscle injury. So all of my injuries have been impact injuries and other accidents that have happened on the field.”&nbsp;Moreover, his injury came at a time when the Indian men’s team competition at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, is scheduled to start in the next two weeks. Part of the squad for the tournament, Varun’s fresh injury puts his participation at the Asian Games in limbo, as he returns to BCCI's Centre of Excellence for recovery.&nbsp;Although the BCCI hasn’t named his replacement yet, Ravi Bishnoi is already part of the T20I squad for the Afghanistan series and the 2026 Asian Games.&nbsp;India and Afghanistan will face off in the second T20I at the same venue on Tuesday (Sep 15) and the final one two days later on Thursday (Sep 17).&nbsp;The Indian men’s T20I team will depart for the Asian Games after this series, where they will defend their gold medal against other cricketing giants, including Pakistan.

India spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out of the remaining T20Is against Afghanistan due to a fresh injury, casting doubt on his 2026 Asian Games participation.

In a massive blow to India, ace spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series against Afghanistan with a side strain, a BCCI source close to the information confirmed. Varun, 35, played the series opener at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday (Sep 13), which India won by seven wickets. The former top-ranked T20I bowler returned with figures of 1/16 in his four overs, having not conceded any boundaries. "Yes, Varun has been ruled out. He is out of the series. It is a fresh injury," a BCCI source confirmed to The Times of India (TOI). Also read| IND vs AFG, 2nd T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India? Varun last featured during India’s away tour of the UK in July this year. Part of the T20I squad, Varun played the first three matches before a hamstring injury ruled him out of the remainder of the tour. Varun missed all T20 action after that before being declared fit for the three-match series against Afghanistan. Earlier, Varun also reflected on his hamstring injury, saying, "This is actually my first-ever muscle injury. So all of my injuries have been impact injuries and other accidents that have happened on the field.” Moreover, his injury came at a time when the Indian men’s team competition at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, is scheduled to start in the next two weeks. Part of the squad for the tournament, Varun’s fresh injury puts his participation at the Asian Games in limbo, as he returns to BCCI's Centre of Excellence for recovery. Although the BCCI hasn’t named his replacement yet, Ravi Bishnoi is already part of the T20I squad for the Afghanistan series and the 2026 Asian Games. India and Afghanistan will face off in the second T20I at the same venue on Tuesday (Sep 15) and the final one two days later on Thursday (Sep 17). The Indian men’s T20I team will depart for the Asian Games after this series, where they will defend their gold medal against other cricketing giants, including Pakistan.

India spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been ruled out of the remaining T20Is against Afghanistan due to a fresh injury, casting doubt on his 2026 Asian Games participation.

Varun Chakravarthy suffers fresh injury setback, ruled out of remaining Afghanistan T20Is

Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan powered India to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the T20I series opener in Delhi on Sunday (Sep 13). The left-hander Abhishek was on song at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, smashing seven sixes and as many fours in his blistering 32-ball 82 during the chase, with Ishan Kishan smoking 42 off 33 balls to help India land the first punch. Earlier, seamer Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball, picking up three wickets for 19 runs in his four overs. India completed the 157-chase in 13.4 overs.&nbsp;Abhishek got his first runs with a six off Fazalhaq Farooqi in the opening over and there was no looking back for the swashbuckling left-handed batter. He lost opening partner Sanju Samson for 10 but kept up the charge with a flurry of fours and sixes to raise his fifty off 22 balls. Abhishek and Ishan Kishan, who made 42, put on 121 runs as the pair tore into the opposition attack to raise the noise of over 25,000 fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sree-charani-india-beat-sri-lanka-womens-asia-cup-2026-final-1789322824899">Shree Charani stars with 4/20 as India beat Sri Lanka to win Women’s Asia Cup 2026</a>&nbsp;"The shots Abhishek played were flawless, exemplary," said India captain Shreyas Iyer. "Kishan has been in great form. He's very relaxed, calm and knows his game."&nbsp;Abhishek fell to off-spinner Mohammad Nabi as Rashid Khan took a good catch in the deep.&nbsp;Nabi soon sent back Kishan before Tilak Varma (3) and Iyer (8) saw the team home.<h2>Arshdeep Shines in Delhi</h2>India's left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh set up victory with figures of 3-19 in his four overs as he helped restrict Afghanistan to 156-8. Put in to bat, Afghanistan slipped to 43-5 before Azmatullah Omarzai hit an unbeaten 64.&nbsp;Returning pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah started with a wide down the leg side for five extras but struck on the second legal delivery to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz, caught at first slip.&nbsp;Iyer praised Bumrah, calling the pace spearhead, who returned to the team after an injury in the second ODI against England in Cardiff on July 16, a "great asset".&nbsp;Meanwhile, skipper Ibrahim Zadran attempted to hit back with two fours but was soon run out for 11 after a mix up with Sediqullah Atal to give India the upper hand.&nbsp;"I would say that run out was the turning point," said Zadran. "Ishan Kishan grabbed the ball and threw it to the bowler. They got the momentum."&nbsp;Wickets kept tumbling as spinners Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy took one each as Afghanistan lost half their side in seven overs.&nbsp;Omarzai, who survived a dropped catch on 39, and Nabi (33) then combined to rebuild the innings with a partnership of 83. Arshdeep broke the stand as he bowled Nabi off a slower yorker.&nbsp;Omarzai stuck around until the end as Afghanistan got 21 runs off the last over from Shivam Dube but it was not enough against the reigning T20 world champions.&nbsp;Delhi will host the second T20I on Tuesday (Sep 15).&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Abhishek Sharma's 32-ball 82 and Arshdeep Singh's 3-19 led India to a dominant 7-wicket win over Afghanistan in the 1st T20I at Delhi's Kotla ground.

Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan powered India to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the T20I series opener in Delhi on Sunday (Sep 13). The left-hander Abhishek was on song at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, smashing seven sixes and as many fours in his blistering 32-ball 82 during the chase, with Ishan Kishan smoking 42 off 33 balls to help India land the first punch. Earlier, seamer Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball, picking up three wickets for 19 runs in his four overs. India completed the 157-chase in 13.4 overs. Abhishek got his first runs with a six off Fazalhaq Farooqi in the opening over and there was no looking back for the swashbuckling left-handed batter. He lost opening partner Sanju Samson for 10 but kept up the charge with a flurry of fours and sixes to raise his fifty off 22 balls. Abhishek and Ishan Kishan, who made 42, put on 121 runs as the pair tore into the opposition attack to raise the noise of over 25,000 fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Also read| Shree Charani stars with 4/20 as India beat Sri Lanka to win Women’s Asia Cup 2026 "The shots Abhishek played were flawless, exemplary," said India captain Shreyas Iyer. "Kishan has been in great form. He's very relaxed, calm and knows his game." Abhishek fell to off-spinner Mohammad Nabi as Rashid Khan took a good catch in the deep. Nabi soon sent back Kishan before Tilak Varma (3) and Iyer (8) saw the team home. Arshdeep Shines in Delhi India's left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh set up victory with figures of 3-19 in his four overs as he helped restrict Afghanistan to 156-8. Put in to bat, Afghanistan slipped to 43-5 before Azmatullah Omarzai hit an unbeaten 64. Returning pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah started with a wide down the leg side for five extras but struck on the second legal delivery to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz, caught at first slip. Iyer praised Bumrah, calling the pace spearhead, who returned to the team after an injury in the second ODI against England in Cardiff on July 16, a "great asset". Meanwhile, skipper Ibrahim Zadran attempted to hit back with two fours but was soon run out for 11 after a mix up with Sediqullah Atal to give India the upper hand. "I would say that run out was the turning point," said Zadran. "Ishan Kishan grabbed the ball and threw it to the bowler. They got the momentum." Wickets kept tumbling as spinners Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy took one each as Afghanistan lost half their side in seven overs. Omarzai, who survived a dropped catch on 39, and Nabi (33) then combined to rebuild the innings with a partnership of 83. Arshdeep broke the stand as he bowled Nabi off a slower yorker. Omarzai stuck around until the end as Afghanistan got 21 runs off the last over from Shivam Dube but it was not enough against the reigning T20 world champions. Delhi will host the second T20I on Tuesday (Sep 15). (With inputs from AFP)

Abhishek Sharma's 32-ball 82 and Arshdeep Singh's 3-19 led India to a dominant 7-wicket win over Afghanistan in the 1st T20I at Delhi's Kotla ground.

Abhishek, Kishan, Arshdeep star as India crush Afghanistan in 1st T20I

Ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the India squad for the three-match Afghanistan T20Is starting September 13 in Delhi. The BCCI selection committee also recalled all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana for the upcoming series. Bumrah’s selection, however, remains subject to getting fitness clearance from BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE). While Sanju Samson, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh return to the 15-man squad after being rested for the Zimbabwe T20Is, Hardik Pandya misses out.<h3>India’s T20I squad for Afghanistan Series –</h3>Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar*, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana* &nbsp;*Subject to fitness clearance &nbsp;Varun Chakravarthy, who hurt his hamstring midway through the England T20Is and missed the subsequent Zimbabwe series, has also returned to the T20I squad. Among those left out were Rinku Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Harsh Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Ashok Sharma, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav and Yash Thakur. &nbsp;Meanwhile, Bumrah featured in the first two ODIs against England before getting ruled out of the third One-Dayer and the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. He suffered a recurrence of an injury in his left knee – an issue he has been nursing since the T20 World Cup. Rana and Sundar also suffered hamstring injuries on the England tour, while Reddy tore his quadriceps during the home three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/east-zone-beat-central-zone-duleep-trophy-final-mukesh-shami-sooryavanshi-1788263366686">Mukesh, Sooryavanshi &amp; Shami fire East Zone past Central Zone into Duleep Trophy final</a> &nbsp;On the other hand, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also retained his place in the T20I side, with India playing two specialist keepers in Samson and Ishan Kishan. Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma will handle middle and lower-order duties. In the spin bowling department, India picked Varun and Ravi Bishnoi as frontline spinners, leaving out Kuldeep Yadav.&nbsp; &nbsp;India will play Afghanistan in Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17. Though the matches are being played in India, Afghanistan are the official hosts of this series.

Jasprit Bumrah returns to India's T20I squad alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar for the three-match series against Afghanistan in Delhi. Read the full squad details. 

Ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the India squad for the three-match Afghanistan T20Is starting September 13 in Delhi. The BCCI selection committee also recalled all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana for the upcoming series. Bumrah’s selection, however, remains subject to getting fitness clearance from BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE). While Sanju Samson, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh return to the 15-man squad after being rested for the Zimbabwe T20Is, Hardik Pandya misses out. India’s T20I squad for Afghanistan Series – Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar*, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana* *Subject to fitness clearance Varun Chakravarthy, who hurt his hamstring midway through the England T20Is and missed the subsequent Zimbabwe series, has also returned to the T20I squad. Among those left out were Rinku Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Harsh Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Ashok Sharma, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav and Yash Thakur. Meanwhile, Bumrah featured in the first two ODIs against England before getting ruled out of the third One-Dayer and the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. He suffered a recurrence of an injury in his left knee – an issue he has been nursing since the T20 World Cup. Rana and Sundar also suffered hamstring injuries on the England tour, while Reddy tore his quadriceps during the home three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Also read| Mukesh, Sooryavanshi & Shami fire East Zone past Central Zone into Duleep Trophy final On the other hand, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also retained his place in the T20I side, with India playing two specialist keepers in Samson and Ishan Kishan. Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma will handle middle and lower-order duties. In the spin bowling department, India picked Varun and Ravi Bishnoi as frontline spinners, leaving out Kuldeep Yadav. India will play Afghanistan in Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17. Though the matches are being played in India, Afghanistan are the official hosts of this series.

Jasprit Bumrah returns to India's T20I squad alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar for the three-match series against Afghanistan in Delhi. Read the full squad details.&nbsp;

Jasprit Bumrah returns for Afghanistan T20Is; Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar recalled

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Varun Chakravarthy suffers fresh injury setback, ruled out of remaining Afghanistan T20Is

Abhishek, Kishan, Arshdeep star as India crush Afghanistan in 1st T20I

Bumrah returns for Afghanistan T20Is; Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar recalled