Virat Kohli to Miss First T20I Against Afghanistan

India’s star batsman, Virat Kohli, will be absent from the first T20 International (T20I) against Afghanistan in Mohali on Friday. India’s coach, Rahul Dravid, confirmed this news, citing personal reasons for Kohli’s absence. However, Dravid assured that Kohli would return for the second and third T20Is in the series, scheduled to take place in Indore and Bengaluru.

The upcoming three-match T20 series holds significance as it marks the return of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to T20Is after their break following the T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to England in November 2022. The duo opted for a break from T20Is to focus on the longer formats, given India’s participation in the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup in 2023.

Rahul Dravid shed light on the challenges of managing players amidst a crowded international cricket calendar, emphasizing the need to prioritize certain formats and tournaments. He mentioned the ongoing juggling act in handling players who participate in all three formats of the game.

The absence of key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj in the Afghanistan series is attributed to the team management’s focus on the upcoming Test series against England.

With the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA scheduled for June, the Afghanistan series represents the last chance for players, outside the IPL, to stake their claim for the coveted tournament. Dravid acknowledged the unique challenge of limited preparation time for the T20 World Cup and emphasized the need for adaptability and flexibility.

In Virat Kohli’s absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to open alongside Rohit Sharma in the first T20I. The top order may witness a reshuffle, considering Kohli’s absence and the unavailability of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya due to injuries.

The series against Afghanistan serves as crucial preparation for India ahead of the T20 World Cup, providing opportunities for players to showcase their skills and solidify their positions in the T20I squad.