IND vs AFG: Rohit returns to lead, Virat also makes comeback in T20I series, Check details

IND vs AFG: Rohit Sharma returns to lead the 'Men in Blue' for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, which is starting June 1. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on Sunday, which is also a platform to check the firepower of youngster players as the T20 World Cup 2024 is around the corner.

What do you all make of this power-packed T20I squad set to face Afghanistan? 😎#TeamIndia | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/pY2cUPdpHy

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2024

Fans are set to witness a much-awaited return of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the Indian T20I setup. Their last appearance in the shortest format came at the Adelaide Oval during the T20 World Cup 2022 in the semifinal against England. Their experience and leadership will be crucial for India as the veteran players have the capabilities to change the game in the blink of an eye.

Wicketkeeping options

Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson will do the wicketkeeping duties for the series.  Jitesh, known for his explosive batting has been making waves in the domestic circuit, while Samson has already established himself as a reliable option behind the stumps for India. 

Major missings

While Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav are recovering from injury, several other seasoned players like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah are missing from the squad. 

The pace attack for the series features a mix of experience and youth, with Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar spearheading the charge. While, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will handle the spin department. 

Here's the complete squad for the T20I series:

India Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar

🚨 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓! 🚨

AfghanAtalan Lineup revealed for the three-match T20I series against @BCCI. 🤩

More 👉: https://t.co/hMGh4OY0Pf | #AfghanAtalan | #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/DqBGmpcIh4

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 6, 2024

Afgahansitan Squad: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmaullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan.

Series schedule

• 1st T20I: January 11, Mohali
• 2nd T20I: January 14, Indore
• 3rd T20I: January 17, Bengaluru