The eagerly anticipated return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the T20 format, after a hiatus of 14 months, is set to take center stage as India faces a formidable Afghanistan in the inaugural white-ball series between the two teams. The three-match series serves as India's final preparation before the T20 World Cup in June, providing valuable insights into the team's standing ahead of the ICC event in the Americas.
The composition of the final 15 for the World Cup will be heavily influenced by the performances in the upcoming IPL, preceding the global tournament. While Rohit and Kohli are shoo-ins for the squad, their focus remains on making the most of the games against Afghanistan. Notably, Afghanistan will miss their star spinner Rashid Khan, who is still recuperating from a back surgery last November.
Afghanistan's captain, Ibrahim Zadran, acknowledged the absence of Rashid and expressed confidence in the team stepping up to fill the void. The spotlight, however, will be firmly on the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both iconic figures known for drawing large crowds.
Rohit, who assumes the captaincy, is expected to maintain his aggressive approach during the powerplay, showcasing the form he displayed in the ODI World Cup. Kohli, adapting to the modern game, aims to elevate his strike rate in the middle overs, acknowledging the shift away from anchor roles.
As the team gathers on Wednesday for the series-opener on Thursday, Shubman Gill is anticipated to open alongside Rohit, with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma continuing their roles. Rinku Singh, proving his mettle in South Africa, becomes crucial in the middle-order, especially with the absence of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.
Wicket-keeping duties are likely to fall to Jitesh Sharma, while the returning Sanju Samson provides another option. The pace-bowling all-rounder Shivam Dube makes a comeback, alongside pace options Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar. Kuldeep Yadav leads the spin attack, complemented by Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.
Despite India being the favorites in their home conditions, Afghanistan, buoyed by their outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup, promises to give a tough competition. With Rashid Khan aside, Afghanistan boasts a full-strength squad after resolving contractual issues with key players.
In summary, the Rohit-Kohli comeback, the emerging talents, and the absence of Rashid Khan set the stage for an exciting series between India and Afghanistan, serving as a crucial buildup to the T20 World Cup. The match kicks off at 7 pm local time.
(With Agency Inputs)
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