Nitish and Hardik can be part of the same XI: Gambhir

In a series win as emphatic as India’s 3-0 sweep over Afghanistan, there will be many bright spots to revel in. But if there was a fresh takeaway from the T20I series, it was Nitish Kumar’s enhanced contribution with the ball. Back from a quadriceps injury, the 23-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder started shakily with figures of 2-0-30-0 in his first outing, but bounced back with three scalps each in the next two games.

More than the wickets, which can come arbitrarily in a format where batters are obliged to attack, the fact that Nitish bowled at brisk pace in different phases was heartening. Particularly in light of the prolonged absence of Hardik Pandya, who has been sidelined with injury since the conclusion of the Indian Premier League. The 32-year-old is expected to return to action when India-A plays three one-dayers against Australia-A in Puducherry from October 6 to 11.