As India prepares to return to white-ball action in an unusual three-match 'away' T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi, the stakes are even higher for the Shreyas Iyer-led team. With their sights set on the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, the hosts have already used one of their three fixtures as a warm-up, and there are a few players in particular who could make the most of this respite from the grueling overseas campaigns.

After a horrendous double-header in Ireland and England, where they were whitewashed 3-0, and a subsequent 3-1 series win over Zimbabwe, the Indian side has been bolstered by the return of a few key players from injuries.

For three particular players, the India vs Afghanistan matches will be an important chance to revive their careers.

1. Washington Sundar

Having shaken off the thigh injury which ruled him out of the ODI leg in England and the Zimbabwe T20Is and Sri Lanka Test series, the all-rounder Washington Sundar comes into the action having his white-ball credentials questioned.

Recent Form: A goalless haul in his last five T20Is, conceding 38 runs from two overs in the UK tour.

Batting Struggles: Average of 8.33 and strike rate of 80.65 (25 runs from three innings) in T20Is this year.

The Mission: To rediscover his two-pronged threat as a batting and bowling all-rounder to lay claim to India's first spin-bowling option.

2. Sanju Samson

Left out for the tour of Zimbabwe after an indifferent display in Ireland and England, which saw the debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson finds his place in the team once more. With an opening stand of 101 against Afghanistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup built on home soil, the right-hander could prove a handy asset with his aggressive stroke-making in Delhi.

The Home Advantage: Having acclimatised to the conditions during the 2026 T20 World Cup, Samson will look to make the most of the familiar setup.

Value Add: Experience to hold the innings in the top order with a young batting lineup.

The Mission: To cash in on the home advantage to amass a big score in Delhi.

3. Varun Chakravarthy

A difficult year for mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who has had to contend with IPL injury list and a steep drop in rankings, has seen his stock price plummet from world No 1 (at the start of the T20 World Cup) to eighth in the latest T20I rankings.

Distress Signals: Haul of six wickets in his last seven T20I appearances at an average of 49.50 and an economy rate of 11.42.

Long-Term Vision: With the spinner turning 35 this year, it is a crucial year in his career if he is to retain his place in the 2028 T20 World Cup squad.

The Mission: To overcome the disjointed and injury-infested 2026 with a tight spell in Delhi to re-establish himself as India's premier strike spinner.