Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return in T20IS, BCCI announces sqaud for Afghanistan T20I Series.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made their return to the India men’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan, scheduled from January 11 to 17. This marks their comeback to T20I cricket after the 2022 T20 World Cup. The series is crucial as it serves as India’s final T20I preparation before the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.
Notably, despite the absence of T20I appearances since 2022, the selectors seem to include Kohli and Rohit in their World Cup plans. Kohli, with consistent IPL performances, and Rohit, a five-time champion, will also lead the team.
Injuries have sidelined regular captain Hardik Pandya and his deputy Suryakumar Yadav. While both are expected to return for IPL 2024, the selectors have entrusted young talents like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, and Jitesh Sharma to fill in. Sanju Samson, who was previously dropped, makes a comeback along with Shivam Dube, maintaining his place in the squad.
Unfortunately, Ruturaj Gaikwad is unavailable due to a finger injury. The bowling attack leans towards youngsters, with the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The team comprises four spinners, including Washington Sundar, highlighting a strategic shift in the bowling department.