India speedster Jasprit Bumrah’s return to action will be closely monitored by the BCCI as the fast bowler has been picked in India’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan, subject to fitness clearance. Notably, Bumrah's last T20I outing came in the T20 World Cup 2026, where India defeated New Zealand to defend the title. 

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Bumrah is set to play practice matches as part of his fitness assessment. Along with him, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy will also feature in the practice games organised by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) between September 4 and 9.

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According to a report in the Times of India, the CoE is confident that all four players, who have missed recent assignments because of injuries, will be fit and available for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi, starting September 13.

“The BCCI medical team at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) had shared a report with selectors last week, where it was mentioned that these four players were clinically fit but had to be assessed in practice matches,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by the publication.

“The CoE has lined up the matches from September 4-9. The CoE is confident that the players should be ready for the Afghanistan series,” the source added.

The CoE has come under scrutiny in recent months because of the number of injuries suffered by Indian players. Several injuries have forced the team to play without some of its key players.

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Following a review meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the packed cricket schedule could be one of the reasons behind the injuries. He also indicated that the board would look at improving the Future Tours Programme (FTP) to give players more time for rest and preparation.

Prince Yadav, who made his India debut in June this year, has been kept as Bumrah’s backup.

Bumrah To Play Red-Ball Match Before Test Return

Bumrah has not played a red-ball match for almost a year, and the Indian team management wants him to get some game time before returning to Test cricket on the New Zealand tour later this year.

The fast bowler has had to manage his workload carefully because of his fitness issues. The team therefore wants to make sure that his knee can handle the demands of a first-class match before he returns to Test cricket.

“As it is, he has to skip Test matches because of his fitness. One has to be clear that his knee can take the load of a first-class game before he takes the field in a Test in New Zealand,” the source was quoted as saying.