The three-match T20I series is slated to get underway on January 11 in Mohali.
This will be India’s last T20I assignment before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29.
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return to the T20I fold, it will be interesting to see India’s playing composition in the Afghanistan series. Notably, the star batters haven’t played in the shortest format for the country since November 2022.
On the eve of the opening T20I, India head coach Rahul Dravid addressed a press conference, where he confirmed that skipper Rohit will open along with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the run-up to the T20 World Cup.
“As of now, we will be opening with Rohit and Jaiswal. When you have a squad that offers flexibility, we can take a call that is in the best interest of the team,” Dravid told reporters.
“We are certainly happy with what Jaiswal has done for us as an opener. It also gives us the left-right combination at the top,” he added.
However, that will leave the question on how to find a place for Shubman Gill, who is also a top-order batter. Kohli will be available only from the second T20I, which could see Gill batting at No. 3 in the series opener.
It will be interesting to see how the team management will accommodate both Kohli in the XI. Pairing Kohli with Rohit at the top is also an option and Dravid did not rule out this possibility.
“Nothing is closed (Kohli opening with Rohit). We have no doubt that the kind of ability and skill sets players like Rohit and Kohli possess, they will be able to find answers against different kind of bowling,” the coach said.
Rahul Dravid also mentioned that the selection process will be dominated by the capability of a player to handle all circumstances and not just the desire to field a left-right combination.
“We still have left-handers in the line-up. But it is not only about left-handers but it is their ability to play through a period and to be able to tackle different kinds of spin that there is.
“Players like Rinku, Jaiswal and Tilak have come in as well, which adds a nice string to the bow. But in the end, we make selection on the basis of performance, not just on the left-hand or right-hand batsman,” he remarked.
Dravid was effusive in praise of Rinku Singh, who has already made a mark with his finishing abilities in his short T20I career so far.
“He has been performing well in the role of a finisher. This series (against Afghanistan) is another opportunity for him to develop himself as a cricketer further.
“Whatever opportunity he gets here or in the IPL, it will be good for his development. Whenever a player does well, he always remains in the thoughts of the selector,” he said.
(With PTI Inputs)