Ajit Agarkar-led Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee on Sunday (January 7) announced India squad for upcoming IND vs AFG T20I series. After an absence of over a year, the veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma make their comeback to T20Is. Kohli and Rohit's last appearance for India in a T20I match dates back to the 2022 T20 World Cup, after which they have participated only in Tests and ODIs.
Resting the senior batting duo of Virat and Rohit helped the Indian team selection committee discover emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and many more.
The first match of the three-match IND vs AFG T20I series begins from January 11 (Thursday) onwards at Punjab Cricket Association's (PCA) renovated IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
IND vs AFG T20I series marks India's final T20I assignment before the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in June, hosted by USA and West Indies.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj rested for IND vs AFG T20I Series
Keeping in mind the workload management, premier India pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah are rested after their active involvement in India's recently-concluded South Africa tour. In addition, Ravindra Jadeja has also been rested.
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav unavailable for IND vs AFG T20I Series
Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya continue to be unavailable for selection due to individual injury concerns. Hardik hasn't played any cricket match for India ever since he got injured during last year's ODI World Cup, while Suryakumar sustained an injury during the South Africa tour and is not anticipated to return to action anytime soon. In addition, Ruturaj Gaikwad too was unavailable due to a finger injury.
India squad for IND vs AFG T20I Series:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar