Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as T20I Captain Returns For the Series Against Afghanistan
neoeraadmin
2 min read
In a much-anticipated move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan. The announcement saw the return of Rohit Sharma as the T20I captain, with Virat Kohli making a blockbuster comeback to the format. The series, scheduled just ahead of the T20 World Cup in June, promises to be a crucial preparatory phase for the Indian team.
The inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli comes after their absence from T20Is since the 2022 World Cup. The experienced duo, integral to the team’s success in ODIs and Tests, will play key roles in strengthening the batting order. The decision to recall them reflects the BCCI’s strategy, especially with Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya sidelined due to injuries.
The squad features familiar faces, including openers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Ishan Kishan has been excluded. Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who showcased his white-ball prowess with a brilliant century against South Africa last month, makes a notable return. Jitesh Sharma, another wicketkeeper, has also retained his spot.
In the bowling department, the spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi will lead the attack, with Ravindra Jadeja given a rest. The pace attack comprises Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar, while Prasidh Krishna has been sidelined following below-par performances in the shortest format.
The T20I series against Afghanistan is set to commence on January 11 in Mohali, followed by matches in Indore on January 14 and Bengaluru on January 17. This series serves as India’s final T20I challenge before the highly anticipated T20 World Cup. The absence of key players due to injuries and rest provides an opportunity for the selected squad to prove their mettle and solidify their spots in the World Cup campaign.
India’s T20I Squad for Afghanistan Series:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Virat Kohli
- Tilak Varma
- Rinku Singh
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Shivam Dube
- Washington Sundar
- Axar Patel
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Avesh Khan
- Mukesh Kumar
