Yash Thakur Replaces Injured Harshit Rana in India's Squads for IND vs AFG T20I 2026 and Asian Games 2026
Pacer Yash Thakur has been named as the replacement for the injured Harshit Rana in India's squads for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi, Japan. The BCCI confirmed the change on September 10, 2026, after Rana was sidelined by a rectus femoris strain.
In a significant development for Indian cricket, right-arm fast-medium bowler Yash Thakur has been called up to the national squads for the highly anticipated T20I series against Afghanistan and the Asian Games 2026. Thakur steps in for fellow pacer Harshit Rana, who has unfortunately been ruled out due to a persistent hamstring injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the replacement on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Afghanistan Squad Announced for India T20 Series, Ibrahim Zadran Named Captain; Naveen-ul-Haq Returns.
Yash Thakur Replaces Harshit Rana
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Yash Thakur replaces Harshit Rana in India’s T20Is squads for Afghanistan T20Is & Asian Games
More Details ▶️ https://t.co/qh86ExSbgB #TeamIndia | #AFGvIND | #AsianGames
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 10, 2026
Harshit Rana, a key member of India's 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup-winning squads, had been battling a hamstring injury sustained earlier this year during the England tour. His return to play protocols were hampered by a fresh setback – a rectus femoris strain – during a match simulation on Monday, September 7, making his participation in the upcoming fixtures impossible.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026
The three-match T20I series, where Afghanistan will be the official hosts, is set to electrify fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The series begins on September 13, 2026, and will conclude on September 17, 2026. All matches are scheduled for a 7:30 PM IST start.
Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | September 13, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 2nd T20I | September 15, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 3rd T20I | September 17, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
Squads
India: Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma (VC), Ishan Kishan (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur.
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (c), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Naveen-ul-Haq, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor ul Rahman (wk), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli.
Head-to-Head (T20Is)
India holds a dominant record against Afghanistan in T20 Internationals, having won 8 of their 9 completed encounters, with one match ending without a result.
Asian Games 2026
Yash Thakur will also join the Indian men's cricket squad for the Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Aichi, Japan. The men's cricket tournament runs from September 24 to October 3, 2026, with India commencing their campaign directly from the quarter-finals on September 28. Cricket at Asian Games 2026 Men's Competition Full Schedule in IST.
India's Asian Games Squad
Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yash Thakur.
Player Profile: Yash Thakur
Born on December 28, 1998, Yash Thakur is 27 years old as of today. The right-arm fast-medium bowler, who represents Vidarbha in domestic cricket and Punjab Kings in the IPL, made his T20I debut for India on July 25, 2026, against Zimbabwe. Known for his pace and variations, Thakur has 27 wickets in 22 IPL matches, with a best of 5/30. Manish Pandey Birthday Special: Celebrating India's Stylish Batter As 2-Time IPL Winner Turns 37.
Harshit Rana, born on December 22, 2001, is 24 years old. He has featured in 14 T20Is for India, scalping 16 wickets at a strike rate of 15.7. His absence is a blow to the Indian contingent, but Thakur's inclusion provides a fresh fast-bowling option for both critical tournaments.
This immediate change underscores the challenges of athlete fitness in a packed international cricket calendar. India will now look to Yash Thakur to bolster their pace attack as they aim for success in both the bilateral series against Afghanistan and the prestigious Asian Games.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 10, 2026 01:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
