On January 7, the All India Selection Committee unveiled the 16-player team for the three-match Twenty20 International series against Afghanistan.
For the first time since the T20 World Cup 2022, India skipper Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli have participated in the shortest format.
Because the team management was trying to rebuild the roster, there was a great deal of anticipation around the inclusion of the two senior players in the T20I squad ahead of the World Cup. The two are the top two run scorers in T20Is, but they have stated that they would be eager to participate in the format.
Due to ankle injuries, both Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav were unable to lead the team during the three-match series. As a result, the team management decided to name the seasoned batter to assume the captaincy. For their admirers who were fearing the end of their individual careers in Twenty20 Internationals, Kohli and Rohit’s return is a relief.
After his outstanding century in the third ODI against South Africa, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has also been added to the team. Remarkably, Samson’s last T20I appearance came during the Ireland visit in August 2023.
After missing the South Africa T20Is while Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah were rested, right-arm seamer Avesh Khan has also announced his comeback. Shivam Dube, an all-around player, has also merited a call-up after competing in the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023. During his 18 T20I matches, Dube has amassed 152 runs and taken six wickets.
🚨 NEWS 🚨#TeamIndia’s squad for @IDFCFIRSTBank T20I series against Afghanistan announced 🔽
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,…
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2024
The Punjab Cricket Association’s IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali will host the first edition of the three-match Twenty20 International series on January 11. The second match will take place in Indore on January 14, and the third T20I match will take place in Bengaluru on January 17.
Rohit Sharma (captain), 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, and Mukesh Kumar are the Indian team for the three Twenty20 International matches against Afghanistan.
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