Following the conclusion of the ongoing two-match Test series between India and South Africa, the Men in Blue are slated to take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series, starting from January 11 onwards. India vs Afghanistan bilateral T20I series stands as the final showdown before the T20 World Cup 2024. Injuries are set to sideline star players Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ruturaj Gaikwad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. With the absence of these key T20 players, India is now faced with the decision to either turn to deputies or consider bringing back Rohit Sharma as a potential leader.
The void in leadership might see the return of senior India batter Rohit Sharma, who is expected to end his T20I hiatus and resume the captaincy role. Additionally, details have emerged regarding the release date of Team India's squad for the upcoming IND vs AFG T20 International series.
"I want to play whatever cricket is there in front of me," Rohit Sharma had said at IND vs SA 1st Test pre-match press conference.
Rohit Sharma has been absent from T20I cricket since the national team's heartbreaking exit from T20 World Cup 2022. Recent reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) views Rohit as the top choice for captaincy in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
"It’s up to the selectors to decide who will lead the side. We had a lengthy discussion with Rohit and he is ready to lead in T20 World Cup. But the England Test series is more important. And Ajit (Agarkar) will talk to Rohit and take a call on whether he will return for the series," a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
India's Probable Squad for IND vs AFG T20I Series: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar/Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.