India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has cleared his fitness test and is now available for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi. The Andhra-based cricketer was named in India’s squad for the series, but his participation was subject to fitness clearance along with Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana.
According to a report published by the Times of India on Wednesday, Nitish has received the green light from the BCCI medical team and is expected to join the Indian squad in Delhi on Thursday. His clearance comes as a major boost for the team ahead of the Afghanistan assignment.
Reddy had reportedly passed his fitness test last week, which allowed the selectors to include him in the squad. However, he underwent a final match simulation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Wednesday to assess his readiness. The 23-year-old successfully completed the test and also showed that he is capable of bowling long spells without any concerns.
ALSO READ: Shivam Dube Reveals How CSK Culture Gives Players Freedom and Confidence
The fitness clearance is particularly important for Nitish Reddy, who has endured an extended spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury during the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala. He was rested for the second ODI before returning for the third match in Chennai, where he experienced discomfort again.
🚨 BIG BOOST FOR TEAM INDIA! 🇮🇳🔥
Nitish Kumar Reddy has cleared his fitness test ahead of the Afghanistan T20I series. 💪
A valuable all-round option back in the mix! 👊🏽
[Pratyush Raj, TOI] pic.twitter.com/JyeP9Ow9r5— Lakshay Sharma (@LakshVerse) September 10, 2026
As a result, Nitish Reddy missed India’s subsequent white-ball assignments in Ireland, England and Zimbabwe, besides the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. His return now gives India another versatile option with both bat and ball.
Nitish has represented India across all three formats since making his international debut in October 2024. He has played four T20Is so far and could now compete with Shivam Dube for a place in the playing XI, particularly with Hardik Pandya unavailable. Beyond the Afghanistan series, Reddy is also part of India’s Asian Games 2026 squad. The team is scheduled to play a one-off T20I against Japan on September 22.
ALSO READ: Ishan Kishan Creates Duleep Trophy History, Breaks Record For Most Runs in a Match
India’s T20I Squad for Afghanistan Series: Shreyas Iyer (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Jasprit Bumrah.
