In a significant development, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are reportedly eager to make their return to T20 internationals as India prepares for a three-match series against Afghanistan. The BCCI selection committee, taking advantage of the early conclusion of the Test series against South Africa, is expected to finalize the T20I squad in preparation for the upcoming series set to kick off on January 11, 2024.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Potential T20 Comeback
The veteran duo, Kohli and Rohit, last featured in a T20 international during the 2022 T20 World Cup. With an eye on the T20 World Cup scheduled for the next year, both players have expressed their keenness to return to the shortest format. Their potential inclusion would mark their first appearance in T20s in over a year, providing a strategic boost to the Indian squad.
Impact of Kohli and Rohit’s Absence
The absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in T20s allowed the selection committee to discover and nurture emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, and Ishan Kishan. However, the upcoming series against Afghanistan could witness a shift in strategy as India approaches its final T20I assignment before the T20 World Cup.
Bowlers’ Rest: Siraj and Bumrah Likely to Be rest
The report suggests that pace bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested, considering their recent workload during the South Africa series. Additionally, the availability of Mohammed Shami remains uncertain, given his absence in the Test matches against South Africa.
Hardik and Suryakumar Unavailable
Unfortunately, the duo of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav won’t be part of the squad due to injury concerns. Hardik has been side-lined since the ODI World Cup 2023, while Suryakumar is expected to be out of action until the next month.
Double Announcement
BCCI to Unveil India-England Test Roster In parallel news, the BCCI is anticipated to unveil the roster for the first two Tests between India and England. This announcement will add further intrigue to the cricketing landscape, as India aims to strike the right balance in both the T20 and Test formats.
Enthusiasm Grows for Kohli and Rohit’s Return
As the anticipation builds for the squad revelation, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the official confirmation of Kohli and Rohit’s return, providing a potential boost to India’s T20 aspirations in the coming series against Afghanistan.
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