Photo via Hindustan Times

Fit-again players will be given time to settle in: Shreyas

Leading the national side for the upcoming three-fixture T20I contest against Afghanistan, Shreyas Iyer highlighted the necessity of granting returning players ample opportunity to regain their rhythm on the field. Frontline pacer Jasprit Bumrah is poised to rejoin the lineup after sitting out since July with an injury, having recently bowled at peak effort during Thursday's practice session.

He is joined on the comeback trail by Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy. While handling selection decisions among in-form contenders like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Iyer also noted that wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan should be ready to feature despite minor discomfort and fatigue linked to recent Duleep Trophy appearances.

Ahead of Sunday's series opener at Arun Jaitley Stadium, where the Friendship Cup silverware was presented on Saturday, India remains centered on the immediate challenge before shifting focus to the forthcoming Asian Games. Meanwhile, designated hosts Afghanistan are entering a fresh phase under Ibrahim Zadran, who has assumed T20I captaincy duties from .