Jan 8, 2024
By: Sourabh Jain
Credit: BCCL
India has announced the squad for its last T20Is before the T20 World Cup that will be held in the USA and West Indies.
Credit: BCCL
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Verma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar
Credit: BCCL
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma who last played a T20I during India’s semi-final defeat in the T20 World Cup in November 2022 have been included for the three-match series against Afghanistan.
Credit: BCCL
The selection of the Indian seniors Kohli and Sharma for the T20 squad has been uncertain but their selection in the T20I squad might mean they are still in contention for the World Cup.
Credit: BCCL
KL Rahul, who has also been missing from T20Is since India’s 2022 World Cup exit, has not been included in the T20I squad despite his recent form. This might not necessarily mean he is not in consideration. It might be rest time.
Credit: BCCL
The T20 squad for the Afghanistan series sees Suryakumar Yadav rested. Rituraj Gaikwad is on the injury list.
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In the absence of Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul, the wicket keeping duties will be handled by either Sanju Samson or Jitesh Sharma. Jitesh Sharma impressed everyone with his performance against Australia last year.
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Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, have been rested for the T20Is against Afghanistan but will lead the bowling duties for India in the T20 World Cup.
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All-rounder Shivam Dube, who has been included for the T20Is against Afghanistan may serve as a backup for the injury-prone Hardik Pandya, who will miss the upcoming series due to an ankle twist. His availability for at least the initial stage of IPL 2024 is also doubtful.
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While the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan will help the Indian selectors in picking a squad for the T20 World Cup, the Indian Premier League (IPL), which will be held just before the WC will play a key role in deciding the final squad.
Credit: BCCI
Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shreyas Iyer are among the players who may not find a place in the T20 World Cup squad.
Credit: BCCL