Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have shown their intention to join the squad for the future T20 World Cup in 2024.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have notified their availability for selection to the BCCI. Since the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final loss, both players have been absent from India’s T20I team. In Rohit’s absence, all-rounder Hardik Pandya led the squad in the short format but was out in the remaining two series owing to injury.
In the ODI World Cup 2023, Kohli led the overall score with 765 runs, while Rohit grabbed the second slot with 597 runs. Despite their outstanding batting efforts, the Men in Blue couldn’t secure the ICC World Cup title at home.
The selection committee, captained by Ajit Agarkar, is expected to meet on Friday to decide the roster for T20 matches and the first two Tests against England. Notably, India has just three more T20Is in their preparation for the World Cup.
The first encounter between Team India and Afghanistan is planned for January 11 in Mohali. The selection committee is expected to choose a new captain, considering the absence of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav owing to injury.
As per a report from the Indian Express, there’s a contemplation within the selection committee to give fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah a break in the upcoming matches against Afghanistan. Both pacers showcased their prowess in the recent victory against South Africa in Cape Town, where Bumrah claimed 8 wickets in the second Test, and Siraj contributed with 7. Notably, Siraj was honored with the ‘Player of the Match’ award, while Bumrah shared the ‘Player of the Series’ title with Dean Elgar for their exceptional bowling performances throughout the series.
To ensure the optimal management of their workload, the Indian team management is considering resting Bumrah and Siraj for the Afghanistan series, with a focus on preserving their form for the upcoming Test matches against England. The report mentions that selectors Shiv Sunder Das and Salil Ankola are currently present in Cape Town, possibly to discuss and finalize these considerations.
As the selection committee grapples with these decisions, the Indian team management is giving top priority to ensuring the long-term fitness of its key players. Currently stationed in Cape Town, selectors SS Das, Salil Ankola, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are gearing up for a crucial decision-making session that has the potential to shape India’s strategy in the upcoming series.
India is all set to kick off a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan on January 11 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Following this, the second and third T20Is are slated to unfold at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore and the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on January 14 and 17, respectively.
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