India Squad for Afghanistan T20Is Likely to Announce Today: Kohli, Rohit Keen to Play

The early conclusion of the Test series between India and South Africa leaves the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee and the team management is yet to finalise the squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan.

The first match of the three T20I assignments is set to begin on January 11, the selection committee are likely to meet on Friday and finalise the roster. For the first time in over a year, the duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could return to the shortest format, having reportedly made themselves available for selection.

According to the Indian Express, both Kohli and Rohit are keen to return to the shortest format, keeping an eye on next year’s T20 World Cup and have since been playing only Tests and ODIs.

Their absence did help the selection committee unearth top talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikward, and Ishan Kishan, but things could change in what would be India’s final T20I assignment before next year’s World Cup in the shortest format.

Watch: Virat Kohli heartfelt gesture towards SA’s retiring Dean Elgar on Cape Town Test

The Indian team will be playing only three T20 Internationals against Afghanistan before the World Cup in June. Meanwhile, with Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav unavailable for selection due to injury, the selection committee will have to pick a new captain for the T20s.

In another development, the selection committee is likely to rest fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj for upcoming matches against Afghanistan.

Siraj and Bumrah played key roles in India’s thumping win over South Africa at Cape Town on Thursday. India levelled the two-match series.

The Indian team management wants their two in-form pacers to be fully fit for the long series against England at home. Three selectors from BCCI SS Das, Salil Ankola and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are in Cape Town.