Following a 14-month break, Virat Kohli was scheduled to return to Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in the much-awaited series between India and Afghanistan, which was scheduled to begin in Mohali on January 11. Due to personal circumstances, Kohli will miss the opening game of the three-match series, according to India’s coach, Rahul Dravid.
Dravid also stated that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will lead India as their opening duo.
The last time Virat Kohli participated in a Twenty20 international match was during India’s 2022 World Cup semi-final loss to Australia.
The next series between India and Afghanistan will be significant because it will be the last match before the June T20 World Cup. It is anticipated that this series will offer insightful information on India’s position in relation to the esteemed ICC event in the Americas. Still, there are questions over how long Rohit Sharma will lead India, given that Hardik Pandya, who might lead the team, has been dealing with injuries.
The India-Afghanistan series begins with both teams’ ongoing injury concerns.
Notably, injuries caused difficulties for important players like Suryakumar Yadav and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Top-ranked T20I batsman Yadav was ruled out owing to a sports hernia, while Gaikwad was unable to be selected because of a broken finger. Afghanistan will enter the T20I series with confidence and purpose, hoping to build on their strong performances—especially in the ODI format—in a format that plays to their strengths.
Rashid Khan’s absence, their great spinner, was a blow for the visitors. Khan is currently recovering from back surgery that he had in November of last year. However, after resolving contract disputes with players like Mujeeb Zadran, Naveen-Ul Haq, and Fazalhaq Farooqi—who just demonstrated their mettle during the ODI World Cup in India—Afghanistan enters the series with full vigor.
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