Star Indian batter Virat Kohli, returning to the T20I setup for the first time since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, will sit out the opener against Afghanistan on January 11 in Mohali due to personal reasons. India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, confirmed this in a pre-match press conference, adding that Yashasvi Jaiswal will open with captain Rohit Sharma.
The T20I series between India and Afghanistan will kick off today in Mohali; the second game will be played on January 14 in Indore; and the series will end on January 17 in Bengaluru.
Rohit Sharma, also making a comeback after 14 long months, will lead the team.
Dravid emphasised the importance of players’ performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the selection process for the T20 World Cup in 2024, considering this is going to be the last the last T20I assignment before the tournament.
Explaining the absence of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the T20I series against Afghanistan, Dravid clarified that Kishan had requested a break during the South Africa tour due to mental tiredness, and the team management supported his decision. However, Kishan has not made himself available for selection since then and will return to domestic cricket when ready.
Addressing concerns about discipline, Dravid stated, “No disciplinary issue; Ishan Kishan was not available for selection. When he is ready, he will play domestic cricket and make himself available.”
In the absence of KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson will take up the wicketkeeping duties for India in the series.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan will be led by Ibrahim Zadran, with premier all-rounder Rashid Khan ruled out of the series as he recovers from his ankle surgery.
India’s T20I squad for series vs Afghanistan:
Rohit Sharma (capt), 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, Mukesh Kumar
-By Aditya Ahuuja
