Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are making their T20I comeback after a break since November 2022. The Indian Cricket Board’s senior selection committee revealed the squad for a 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan, beginning on January 11.
India will play against Afghanistan in Mohali on January 11, 2024, followed by matches in Indore on January 14 and Bengaluru on January 17. This series marks India’s final T20I series before the T20 World Cup in June.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Squad
India Squad
The team for the upcoming cricket series was selected during a meeting of the senior selection committee in Mumbai on Sunday, as per India Today. The 16-player squad boasts a balanced blend of young talents and seasoned players. Notably, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, experienced pacers, were left out of the squad, likely due to the upcoming 5-Test series against England scheduled for the end of the month.
The finalized team includes Rohit Sharma as captain, along with Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma as wicketkeeper, Sanju Samson as another wicketkeeper, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar.
Afghanistan Squad
Heading the squad is Ibrahim Zadran as the captain, supported by wicketkeepers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil. The lineup also features explosive batsmen Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmat Shah, along with power hitter Najibullah Zadran. Adding depth to the team are experienced players like Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, and all-rounder Azmaullah Omarzai.
The bowling attack is led by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, accompanied by Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazal Haq Farooqi, and others, ensuring a formidable presence on the field. The full squad includes Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, and the renowned Rashid Khan.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024 Schedule, Matches, Groups, Venue
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Return in T20I
Kohli and Sharma haven’t played T20Is since the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, where India lost to England. In 2023, they focused on the ODI World Cup. Despite expectations for their return in the T20Is against South Africa, they extended their break, raising questions about their availability for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
On the flip side, injuries will sideline key players Pandya and Yadav from the three-match series. Pandya has been inactive since the 2023 ODI World Cup, and Yadav got injured in South Africa, expecting a return next month.
Bumrah and Siraj, part of the recent Test series against South Africa, are rested for this T20 series.
The selection committee’s decision is eagerly awaited as this series is India’s final T20I assignment before the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan, gearing up for a high-profile series against India, named a full-strength 19-member squad. However, regular captain Rashid Khan, recovering from a back surgery in November 2023, is unlikely to play any match.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Schedule
The table below provides the schedule for the T20I matches between India and Afghanistan.
| Match | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Mohali | January 11 |
| 2nd | Indore | January 14 |
| 3rd | Bengaluru | January 17 |
Also Read: India South Africa Test Match: India Win By 7 Wickets
India vs Afghanistan T20I Squad FAQs
Q.1. When is the India vs Afghanistan T20I series scheduled to begin?
Ans. The series kicks off on January 11, 2024, in Mohali.
Q.2. Who leads the Indian T20I squad, and who are the notable inclusions?
Ans. Rohit Sharma captains the squad, featuring Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and promising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma.
Q.3. Why are Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj absent from the Indian squad?
Ans. The experienced pacers were left out, possibly to prepare for the upcoming 5-Test series against England.
Q.4. Who captains Afghanistan in the T20I series against India?
Ans. Afghanistan is led by Ibrahim Zadran, with Rashid Khan recovering from a back surgery.
Q.5. When is the final T20I match between India and Afghanistan scheduled?
Ans. The series concludes with the third match in Bengaluru on January 17, 2024.
