Ishan Kishan suffers back injury scare in Delhi nets ahead of 1st T20I vs Afghanistan

Ishan Kishan suffered a back injury scare during a net session in Delhi on Friday, September 11, 2026, putting his participation in the Afghanistan vs India T20I series in doubt. The incident occurred when Kishan attempted to duck a short delivery bowled by Navdeep Saini in the nets. Team physios attended to him immediately after the incident, and he was able to walk off the field unassisted.

The severity of the injury is expected to be determined within 24 hours following rest and a full medical assessment. No official confirmation has been issued regarding his availability for the 1st T20I, scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Kishan's participation in the Afghanistan T20I series as a whole remains uncertain pending that assessment.

Kishan had arrived in the Indian camp in strong form, having led East Zone to the 2026 Duleep Trophy title. In the Duleep Trophy 2026 final against South Zone, he scored 270 runs in the first innings and 80 runs in the second innings, underlining his form ahead of the series.

How has Ishan Kishan performed in T20Is in 2026?

Kishan has been among the most productive batters in T20 cricket this year. He has scored 812 runs from 23 T20Is in 2026, making him the second-highest run-scorer in the format during the calendar year. That record of consistent output across 23 matches reflects the form he carried into the Afghanistan series camp.

His absence, even for a single match, would be a notable gap in India's batting resources given the volume of runs he has accumulated. Sanju Samson is the other wicketkeeper in the squad and would be available to fill the keeping role if Kishan is ruled out of the opener.

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India's squad for the Afghanistan T20I series is led by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma named as vice-captain. The 1st T20I is set to be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on September 13, 2026. With Kishan's fitness still being assessed, team management will have clarity on his availability only after the medical review is completed in the hours leading up to the match.