New Delhi: Vidarbha fast bowler Yash Thakur was handed his first home opportunity for India in the third and final T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, replacing Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI.
Thakur made the opportunity count early, claiming the important wicket of Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran, adding an immediate highlight to his first appearance on home soil.
India had already sealed the three-match series after winning the opening two matches and made just one change for the final game, with Arshdeep rested and Thakur brought into the XI. Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran won the toss and elected to bowl first.
India captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed the change at the toss, saying the team wanted to maintain its focus despite having already secured the series.
Thakur’s inclusion was not a surprise. The 27-year-old had joined India’s squad earlier in September after Harshit Rana was ruled out of the Afghanistan T20Is and the 2026 Asian Games following an injury setback.
Who is Yash Thakur?
Born in Kolkata on December 28, 1998, Yash Thakur is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who has established himself as an important part of Vidarbha’s domestic attack.
He has built his career largely through consistent performances in domestic cricket rather than through the spotlight of international cricket.
According to available career figures, Thakur has taken 97 wickets in 33 first-class matches and 90 wickets in 57 List A games. In T20 cricket, he has claimed more than 100 wickets, underlining his experience in the shortest format.
His domestic record also earned him opportunities in the Indian Premier League. Thakur first appeared for Lucknow Super Giants and produced several notable spells, including a five-wicket haul against Gujarat Titans in 2024.
That performance — 5/30 against Gujarat Titans — remains one of his most memorable IPL outings and included the wickets of Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan.
He later moved to Punjab Kings, where he has continued to feature in the IPL.
International breakthrough
Thakur’s international breakthrough came during India’s tour of Zimbabwe in July 2026.
He made his T20I debut on that tour and picked up four wickets in two matches, giving the selectors another pace option ahead of India’s upcoming assignments.
His inclusion in the Afghanistan squad came after Harshit Rana’s injury forced the selectors to make a replacement. The BCCI subsequently named Thakur in both India’s Afghanistan T20I and Asian Games squads.
The Afghanistan series therefore represents another step in Thakur’s progression from domestic cricket to the international stage.
Opportunity after Arshdeep’s rest
With India already 2-0 up in the series, the decision to rest Arshdeep Singh provided Thakur with an opportunity to operate alongside Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian attack.
The move also gives the team management another chance to assess its fast-bowling resources before the 2026 Asian Games, where India’s campaign is scheduled to begin with the quarter-finals on September 28.
For Thakur, however, the immediate assignment was clear: make the most of his first opportunity in front of a home crowd.
And by removing Afghanistan skipper Ibrahim Zadran, he made his presence felt almost immediately.
