India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan left a training session with back discomfort on Friday, adding a late selection question for the hosts before Sunday’s opening T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi.
Kishan reportedly stopped batting during the net session after feeling pain in his back and did not return to the crease. His availability for the first match will depend on medical assessment and how he responds before the September 13 fixture.
The development matters to Afghanistan because India are finalising their batting and wicketkeeping combination for a three-match series that begins at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Any change to India’s top-order plans could alter the match-up Afghanistan’s bowlers have been preparing for.
Afghanistan are expected to lean heavily on a varied bowling attack featuring Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi and the returning Naveen-ul-Haq. The opening game will therefore place immediate pressure on whichever Indian batting combination is selected.
Kishan entered the series in strong domestic form, making his fitness a relevant late issue rather than a routine training concern. India have not yet announced that he is unavailable for the match.
Afghanistan will be led by Ibrahim Zadran in the series, with the second and third T20Is scheduled for September 15 and 17 at the same venue.
The immediate focus for both sides now shifts to final training and team selection before the opener.
