There will be three T20I cricket matches between India and Afghanistan. India vs Afghanistan, the first match is scheduled for January 11 in Mohali, the second on January 14 in Indore, and the third on January 17 in Bengaluru. All matches will commence at 7 PM (India time).
BCCI Announced Squad for India vs Afghanistan T20I Series
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 16-member squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan last Sunday. Initially, there was a dilemma regarding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s participation in the T20 matches against Afghanistan. However, it has been confirmed that both Rohit and Virat are part of the squad. Rohit Sharma will lead the team in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
Kohli and Rohit Return to T20I Squad
Rohit Sharma has been named the captain of the Indian side, with Virat Kohli also included. The last T20 match they played was in the T20 World Cup in 2022 against England in the semifinals. Since then, they haven’t participated in any matches due to their involvement in the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup in 2023.
Wicket Keepers for India vs Afghanistan T20I Series
Two wicketkeepers, Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson, have secured spots in the squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. Jitesh Sharma was part of the India T20I side in the recently concluded tour of Australia and South Africa, while Sanju Samson last played a T20I match against Ireland in August last year. However, in ODIs, Samson capitalized on the opportunity, scoring a century against South Africa in the recently concluded bilateral series.
Middle Order for India vs Afghanistan T20I Series
Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and Shivam Dube have been selected for the middle-order positions. Rinku Singh has been in excellent form lately, playing the role of a finisher perfectly for India.
Spinners for India vs Afghanistan T20I Series
Regarding the spin department, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Kuldeep Yadav have been included in the team. Bishnoi and Yadav showcased impressive performances against South Africa last month in their tour to South Africa.
Fast Bowlers for India vs Afghanistan T20I Series
The Indian selectors have maintained the pace attack trio of Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar. Arshdeep Singh excelled in the shorter format of the game, while Mukesh Kumar showcased his talent during the recently concluded South African tour.
Players Not Included In The Squad For T20I Series Against Afghanistan
Players not on the team include Hardik Pandya, who sustained an ankle injury during the 2024 World Cup. He was leading the T20 side in the absence of Rohit Sharma but is yet to fully recover, with hopes of returning to action in the IPL.
Suryakumar Yadav, another prolific T20 batter, also suffered an injury during the South Africa tour and is still in recovery. He successfully led the Indian team against Australia in the home series and against South Africa last month.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, dealing with a finger injury since South Africa, has been ruled out of the team.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been rested for the T20 series against Afghanistan following the Test series against South Africa.
Despite KL Rahul’s recent good form in Tests and ODIs, he has not been considered for the T20 series against Afghanistan.
Indian T20I Squad For India vs Afghanistan Series
Rohit Sharma (capt), 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.
Afghanistan T20I Squad For India vs Afghanistan Series
Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmaullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan.
It is India’s final T20I series before the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, all eyes are on the players’ performances, crucial for their selection and readiness for the upcoming T20 World Cup slated to commence in June.