The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on the verge of revealing the much-awaited squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, with an official announcement expected today. The recently concluded Test series between India and South Africa has afforded the selection committee some additional time to meticulously finalize the roster for the 3-T20I assignment commencing on January 11.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, stalwarts of Indian cricket, have reportedly expressed their eagerness to return to the T20I format after a hiatus of over a year. Their decision is seen as a strategic move with an eye on the T20 World Cup scheduled for the next year. The dynamic duo last featured in a T20 international during the 2022 T20 World Cup, primarily focusing on Tests and ODIs since then. While their absence allowed the emergence of promising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, and Ishan Kishan, the upcoming T20I series could witness the return of experience and leadership.
However, the report suggests that the pace spearheads, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, are likely to be given a breather, having played crucial roles in the recent South Africa series. There is uncertainty surrounding the availability of Mohammed Shami, who was absent in both Tests against South Africa.
In a setback, the dynamic duo of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav will continue to be absent due to injury concerns. Hardik has been sidelined since the ODI World Cup in 2023, while Suryakumar is on the road to recovery after sustaining an injury during the South Africa tour. Their absence opens up opportunities for other players to showcase their skills in the series.
Apart from unveiling the squad for the Afghanistan series, the BCCI is also expected to disclose the roster for the initial two Tests in the upcoming India-England series. As the cricketing fraternity awaits the official announcement, anticipation is building around the return of Kohli and Rohit to the T20I arena, bringing a blend of experience and expertise to the Indian squad.
