A 3-0 whitewash against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here should have been a fitting occasion for the players to cut loose. With the sweeping series win, ending in a 127-run win on September 17, 2026, they will have a chance to enjoy a rich haul of results. India put together a similar 3-0 whitewash series over Zimbabwe before this.

But as the Indian squad prepares to leave for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, which begins in New Delhi on September 24, a taut tension is felt in the dressing room. Not all the 15-man squad utilized the opportunity. As they gear up for a packed bilateral schedule, with a tour of New Zealand and a home series against Australia, besides an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup, the selectors may look to make some changes.

Three players could find themselves dropped or rested for some of India's T20I fixtures in the coming months

1.Jasprit Bumrah

Unlike his teammates, Jasprit Bumrah has not been under pressure to relegate his spot in the team. However, the pacer is facing the opposite dilemma as he returns to action as the most crucial player in limited-overs cricket. He has been rested after a two-month injury layoff and has bravely faced three T20I matches this series without giving up handy runs.

Bumrah's future in the limited-overs set is under threat as the Indian team has a rigorous schedule ahead. They have a crucial away series in New Zealand and a tough home series against Australia. Furthermore, the 2027 ODI World Cup is always on the horizon. Consequently, they may decide not to use him in the shortest format of the game and allow him to rest and rebuild his career for the next few years. The first test will be against the West Indies in the T20I series.

2. Yash Thakur

Sometimes, a player's position in the batting order dictates his performance. Yash Thakur, a bowling all-rounder from Vidarbha, has joined the national set-up as an injury replacement for Harshit Rana. In the third T20I against Afghanistan, he has bowled two tight overs, conceding just one run for a single wicket.

However, unless his persistence pays off, his future in the T20I set-up is under threat. As an injury replacement, his place in the pecking order is insecure, and with players like Rana and Prince Yadav returning to full fitness, it will be challenging for him to break into India's formidable pace attack. For now, it would be best if he focused on the domestic circuit to hone his skills before moving up the ladder.

3.Shivam Dubey

For an all-rounder who has been so good with explosive boundaries, Shivam Dube turned up to be below par against Afghanistan. He made a low-scoring and short stay at number 7 in the third T20I before being caught by Rashid Khan at long on while scoring 14 runs off Azmatullah Omarzai's bowling in the 16th over.

Dube's performances with both bat and ball and his fielding displays have been disappointing throughout the series. In a highly competitive T20I batting order, where the likes of Nitish Kumar Reddy are clamouring for an opportunity, even a lacklustre performance could be exploited. Unless Dube can display his explosive hitting, his place in the playing XI is under threat.