The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the Indian squad for the upcoming 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
The announcement brings with it the return of two cricketing legends, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are set to make their comeback to the T20I side after a hiatus since the T20 World Cup.
Rohit Sharma has been entrusted with leading the Indian squad in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli.
The T20 series against Afghanistan holds special significance as it serves as the sole international engagement for the Indian team before the eagerly awaited 2024 World Cup, scheduled to take place in June.
However, the squad announcement comes with a few notable omissions and inclusions. Unfortunately, the Indian team will miss the services of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, both sidelined due to injuries.
Their absence opens the door for other talented players to showcase their skills and contribute to the team’s success.
In a surprising move, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is not part of the selected squad. The omission raises eyebrows, considering Jadeja’s recent form and match-winning performances.
On the other side, the squad sees the inclusion of Sanju Samson, who was overlooked for the South Africa series, and all-rounder Shivam Dube, adding depth and versatility to the team composition.
These selections hint at the team management’s strategic planning for a well-balanced squad capable of adapting to various match situations.
In the fast-bowling department, India has opted to rest the dynamic duo of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah for the T20I series against Afghanistan.
Both bowlers played pivotal roles in India’s recent thumping victory over South Africa, and their temporary absence is expected to be a calculated move to manage their workload.
The 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan is slated to kick off on January 11 at Mohali, followed by matches on January 14 in Indore and January 17 in Bengaluru.
India T20I squad:
Rohit Sharma (C), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024 Schedule: Group Stage, Super 8, Knockouts, Full Match List, Dates, Venues
