Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath has opined that Jasprit Bumrah’s return is a huge positive for Afghanistan T20Is. Bumrah suffered a knee injury on the tour of England and was ruled out of the third ODI.

Later, Bumrah was also ruled out of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka due to the same injury. Auqib Nabi Dar was named as Bumrah’s replacement for the Test series.

Bumrah has now been selected for the T20I series against Afghanistan but his selection is subject to fitness clearance.

“Bumrah’s return is a huge positive. It could also have been that Bumrah told the management that he wanted to play these three matches. Then they have to select him. We don’t know that. Bumrah might have spoken to Gambhir or the selection committee and said he wants to play because he hasn’t played cricket for long. So it could have been Bumrah’s option,” said Badrinath on his YouTube Channel.

Badrinath was also impressed with Sanju Samson’s selection after the Kerala batter was rested for the Zimbabwe tour.

“I also like Sanju Samson’s selection. They’ve been playing around too much with his place. So it’s good to see him back.”

On the other hand, Badrinath cheekily said that players, who are the coach’s favorites, are back in the team. He said that Washington Sundar must make the most of his chances but added he doesn’t rate Nitish Kumar Reddy highly because of his bowling.

He said, “On first look, the coach’s favorites are back. Washington Sundar is getting tremendous backing in Indian cricket. He needs to really make use of it. And somehow I don’t rate Nitish Kumar Reddy so high. That’s because of his bowling. I still feel he’s a batter and not someone I rate with the ball.”

The first T20I between Afghanistan and India will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on September 13.