(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the team’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, starting January 11 in Mohali.
In what is headline-worthy news, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back in the T20I fold. Adding to Rohit’s return, he has been named the captain of the side.
The senior duo last played a T20I in the World Cup 2022 and thereafter, their focus shifted to the longer formats.
Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Ruturaj Gaikwad were unavailable for selection due to injuries.
Sanju Samson is also back in the mix. He has been picked as a wicket-keeper along with Jitesh Sharma, who is also fighting for the same spot.
Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the openers. Only one of them will make the XI as Rohit is back. Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh will form the middle-order.
Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are the three all-rounders.
Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav have been picked as the spinners, while Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan make the pace unit.
Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul are the notable exclusions. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku
Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar,
Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan,
Mukesh Kumar.