Washington Sundar has reportedly been cleared to play in India’s three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, resolving one of the fitness questions surrounding the Indian squad.
The off-spinning all-rounder missed India’s Test series in Sri Lanka because of a hamstring injury. India selected him for the Afghanistan matches subject to clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Centre of Excellence.
The Times of India and India Today reported that Sundar has now completed the required assessment and is available for the series.
India is still awaiting confirmation about fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, whose inclusion was also made conditional on fitness clearance. Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy were the other players selected subject to fitness.
The three matches are scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Afghanistan is the official host despite the entire series being played in India.
Afghanistan will be captained by Ibrahim Zadran, while Shreyas Iyer is set to lead India.
Sundar’s availability strengthens India’s spin-bowling and lower-order batting options ahead of the opening match. An official update on the remaining players’ availability was still awaited when this report was prepared.