IND vs AFG: 3 Indian players who could be dropped after the series

India completed a 3-0 whitewash against Afghanistan in the T20I series, with the final match at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on September 17, 2026 ending in a 127-run victory. All three matches were played in New Delhi on September 13, 15, and 17.

The Afghanistan series was India's final T20I assignment before the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where the men's cricket competition begins on September 24. India had also beaten Zimbabwe 3-0 in T20Is before this series, making it a strong run of results. However, not every player in the 15-member squad made a convincing case for their place going forward.

Here are 3 Indian players who could be dropped or rested after the Afghanistan series:

3. Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube was part of India's 15-member squad for the Afghanistan T20I series, but was unable to make a significant impact. He batted at No. 7 in the third T20I playing XI, scoring 14 runs before being dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai, with Rashid Khan taking the catch at long-on in the 16th over.

Dube's contributions across the series were described as lacklustre with bat, ball, and in the field. His form in this 2026 series was a significant step down from his baseline level, which poses concerns over his future in the side. With all-rounders such as Nitish Kumar Reddy also in the squad, selectors may look to use Dube's spot more productively.