Introduction
Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the India vs Afghanistan T20 series, marked by the highly-awaited return of Captain Rohit Sharma. Leading the team against Afghanistan starting on January 11, Rohit’s comeback headlines a squad announcement that brings its fair share of surprises, including the inclusion of Virat Kohli and the return of Sanju Samson. With speculation surrounding the T20 World Cup captaincy and the strategic roles of key players, this article explores the latest developments in the squad and sets the stage for an exciting series between India and Afghanistan.
IND vs AFG Squad Selection Update: Samson Makes a Comeback, KL Rahul Excluded from the Lineup
In the absence of Ishan Kishan, Samson gets a chance to play T20Is again. He did well in South Africa, scoring his first ODI century in a crucial match. Making 108 runs, he helped India win the series in Paarl by 78 runs.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul isn’t selected for the T20I series against Afghanistan. Like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Rahul hasn’t played T20Is since the 2022 T20 World Cup. Despite the return of Rohit and Kohli, Rahul, who’s been in great form in ODIs and Tests, isn’t getting the same chance from the selection committee.
Samson Makes a Comeback in IND vs AFG T20I Squad
Sanju Samson, who plays as a batter and wicketkeeper, is in the 16-player squad. Jitesh Sharma is the other wicketkeeper option. Samson did well, scoring his first ODI century against South Africa in Paarl.
In the 24 T20Is he played for India, Samson scored 374 runs with an average of 19.68 and a striking rate of 133.57.
Exclusion of Chahal from IND vs AFG T20I Squad
Yuzvendra Chahal, who took the most wickets for India in T20Is, won’t play in the 3-match series against Afghanistan. He last played for India in August 2023 against the West Indies.
Bumrah and Siraj Given Break: IND vs AFG T20I Squad News
Bumrah and Siraj, the experienced fast bowlers, are resting after the South Africa tour. They won’t play in the three upcoming T20I matches. Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh Khan will be the fast bowlers for India instead.
IND vs AFG T20I Squad Unveiled: Rohit and Kohli Named in the Lineup
Rohit Sharma leads the team with Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma as a wicketkeeper, and Sanju Samson as another wicketkeeper. The squad also includes Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar.
Confirmation for T20 World Cup: Virat and Rohit Set to Play in IND vs AFG Squad
According to former chief selector MSK Prasad, India should pick their best team for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. He points out that this series is the last T20 international assignment before the T20 World Cup in June. Prasad also shares his thoughts on including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the World Cup squad.
I think we should have our strongest team. These are the final 3 T20 matches before the IPL, and for players recovering from injuries, having key players is important. Afghanistan is a tough team, and although Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took a break in the South Africa tour, it was needed after the intense World Cup. They’ve had a good break, and we’ve done well with the younger players.
In my view, there’s no doubt that Virat and Rohit will play in the T20 World Cup. So, they should start playing from this series,” said MSK Prasad on Star Sports.
IND vs AFG T20I Squad: Hardik and Surya Not Included
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav won’t play in the T20I series against Afghanistan starting January 11. Hardik got hurt in the World Cup and hasn’t played since. Suryakumar got injured after the T20I series in South Africa. They’re likely to join the IPL directly because India has a 5-match Test series against England.
IND vs AFG: Live Squad Selection Discussion: Is BBL Form a Factor?
The Indian senior selectors might check out the Big Bash League. Nikhil Chaudhary, 27, played for Punjab from 2017 to 2019, then went to Australia. Now, in his first BBL season, he made a big impact. He scored his first fifty in Sunday’s match for Hobart Hurricanes against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.
Live Updates on IND vs AFG Team Selection: Expected Selection Meeting Today in Mumbai
Yesterday, we said a selection meeting with top BCCI officials will happen in Mumbai on Sunday. Ajit Agarkar, the Chairman of Selectors, went to Cape Town to talk to senior players but couldn’t decide. BCCI’s Jay Shah might help decide on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s T20I future.
India won’t play more T20Is after the series against Afghanistan starting January 11. The IPL 2024 will be important for selectors to watch and decide.
Live Commentary on IND vs AFG: Kris Srikkanth Suggests Rohit Sharma Isn’t Required to Captain in T20 World Cup
Kris Srikkanth, a former chief selector of India, suggests that Rohit Sharma shouldn’t be the captain in the T20 World Cup. He thinks Rohit, being an experienced player, should enjoy his last T20 World Cup without the extra responsibility.
I still feel Rohit Sharma shouldn’t be the captain, even if he plays. It’s better for him. This might be his last T20 World Cup, so he should just go out, have fun, and play freely. We have other options like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah. After Hardik Pandya, these guys can be considered for captaincy,” Srikkanth shared on his YouTube show Cheeky Cheeka.
Live Squad Selection for IND vs AFG: Possible Return for KL Rahul?
KL Rahul, like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, hasn’t played T20I cricket since the World Cup in November 2022. But in ODIs and Tests, he’s found a new role as a middle-order batter, especially in the recent South Africa tour.
In a recent interview after the South Africa tour, Rahul shared his desire to be part of the T20I team. He said, ‘Keep me in the XI, wherever you want to play me, I will.’ He wants to play more matches because injuries have kept him out a lot. Despite being 31 now, he feels he hasn’t played enough due to waiting for chances and getting injured when he did.
Kris Srikkanth: Impossible to Reject Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli if They’re Ready
Kris Srikkanth, a former selector, says if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma want to play in the T20 World Cup, you shouldn’t leave them out.
Virat Kohli is definitely in, he’s playing great. Rohit Sharma may feel confident after his World Cup performance. If Rohit says he’s ready, you can’t say no,” explained Srikkanth on his YouTube show.
Rohit also wants to win a World Cup, especially after losing the recent one. He was part of the 2007 World Cup and wants a similar exit – winning a World Cup. Virat Kohli is keen on winning a T20 World Cup too. Since the T20 World Cup was just 13 months ago, and Virat was in great form, if they say they’re in, it’s hard to drop them. If you think about making Hardik the captain, you also need to check his fitness, he added.
Ranji Trophy Latest: Pujara Scores Impressive Double Century!
Cheteshwar Pujara is doing really well just before they pick players for the 5-Test series against England starting on January 25. He not only scored a hundred but also made it a double hundred while playing for Saurashtra against Jharkhand in Rajkot.
We’re not sure if Pujara will be chosen for the Test team again, but he’s definitely making the selectors notice him with this big double-century in the first match of the Ranji Trophy season.
Cheteshwar Pujara (236*) and Prerak Mankad (99*) have helped Saurashtra build a big lead of 424 👏👏.
Live: India vs Afghanistan T20I Squad Selection – Uncertain Roles for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in T20 World Cup 2024
Talking about Rohit and Kohli playing in the Afghanistan series is happening, but it’s not sure if they’ll be in the T20 World Cup. The selectors are finding it hard to decide between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the Afghanistan series.
Right now, there’s a chance that both might be in the team, but it depends on how well they perform in the IPL for their selection in the T20 World Cup team.
IND vs AFG: Rashid Khan Back in Squad, but Unlikely to Play Any T20I Against India
Afghanistan has shared their T20I team to play against India. Rashid Khan is back in the lineup, but there’s a chance he might not play any T20I match against India. This is Rashid Khan’s return to the T20I side after his back surgery.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Squad Selection – Afghanistan Announces a Strong 19-Member Team
While the decision from the Indian camp is still pending, Afghanistan has announced its squad for the series on Saturday, January 6. Ibrahim Zadran will lead the team, which includes the return of Rashid Khan following his back surgery.
List of players for the three T20I matches against India:
– Ibrahim Zadran (C)
– Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
– Ikram Alikhil (WK)
– Hazratullah Zazai
– Rahmat Shah
– Najibullah Zadran
– Mohammad Nabi
– Karim Janat
– Azmaullah Omarzai
– Sharafuddin Ashraf
– Mujeeb Ur Rahman
– Fazal Haq Farooqi
– Fareed Ahmad
– Naveen Ul Haq
– Noor Ahmad
– Mohammad Saleem
– Qais Ahmad
– Gulbadin Naib
– Rashid Khan
India vs Afghanistan T20I Squad Selection – Major Decision on Kohli and Rohit Expected this Sunday
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will have a meeting in Mumbai on Sunday to decide if captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli should play in the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. BCCI’s top officials, including secretary Jay Shah, will be there, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar is back from South Africa for the meeting. The talks in South Africa didn’t settle things, so they’re having another discussion.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Squad Selection – Will Rohit and Kohli Be Included?
We’re just a few days away from the India vs Afghanistan T20I series, and fans are excited to know which players will be in the squad. Everyone is curious about whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be back in the T20I team after not playing for a year.
Conclusion
The Indian cricket squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan sees the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, while KL Rahul is excluded. Discussions revolve around leadership roles, IPL performances, and the T20 World Cup preparation.
FAQs
Q1. Why is KL Rahul not in the T20I squad against Afghanistan?
A. The specific reasons for KL Rahul’s exclusion from the T20I squad are not provided in the article.
Q2. Why are Bumrah and Siraj not playing in the T20I series?
A2. Bumrah and Siraj are given a break after the South Africa tour to manage their workload.
Q3. Why is Yuzvendra Chahal not part of the T20I squad?
A3. The article does not specify the reason for Yuzvendra Chahal’s exclusion from the T20I squad.
Q4. Why are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli making a comeback now?
A4. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is attributed to their break after the 2022 T20 World Cup and the upcoming T20 World Cup preparation.
Q5. How important is the IPL in squad selection for the T20 World Cup?
A5. The article highlights that performances in the IPL will significantly influence the final squad selection for the T20 World Cup.