Star batsman Rohit Sharma and batsman Virat Kohli have been included in India's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday announced a 16-player roster for the series, which commences on January 11.
The experienced pair returned to India's T20I squad for the first time since the conclusion of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022, marking a significant development for the team as they prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024.
"The Men's Selection Committee announced India's squad for the upcoming IDFC First Bank T20I series against Afghanistan," BCCI said in an official announcement.
Rohit Sharma will captain the Indian team in the T20 matches against Afghanistan, while Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson will be responsible for wicketkeeping duties.
The team boasts a number of versatile players, such as Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel, who excel in multiple aspects of the game. Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav will serve as the leg spinners, while Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, and Mukesh Kumar will take charge of the pace bowling duties.
The remaining players in the team who bat are Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Tilak Varma.
Suryakumar Yadav, who captained India in the T20Is in South Africa in December, was not included in the squad due to an ankle injury sustained while fielding in the third and final match in Johannesburg. He underwent ankle surgery and is expected to resume training in a few months.
The T20I series between India and Afghanistan is set to begin on January 11 in Mohali. The second match is scheduled for January 14 in Indore, and the series will wrap up on January 17 in Bengaluru.
The T20 World Cup, commencing on June 1, marks the conclusion of India's bilateral T20I series with Afghanistan.
India's squad in full: Rohit Sharma (Captain), 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 and Mukesh Kumar.
