The BCCI on Sunday (January 7) announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
The squad included batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have not played in the shortest format for India since November 2022.
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson also made his return to T20Is after missing the recent series against Australia and South Africa. Besides Samson, Jitesh Sharma is the other glovesman in the squad.
All-rounder Shivam Dube got another chance in the team as Hardik Pandya remains unavailable due to injury. Washington Sundar, Akshar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi are the spinners in the squad while Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar are the fast-bowling options.
A day after the team was picked, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra raised questions on some of the decisions taken by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee.
Chopra expressed surprise over the non-selection of Ishan Kishan, who opted out of the recently held Test series against South Africa citing personal reasons.
The cricketer-turned-commentator was also taken aback by the absence of Shreyas Iyer from the T20I team.
“Iyer was nominated as the Vice-Captain for the 5-match T20i series vs Australia. Was a part of the squad against SA too. Now, finds no place in the team vs Afghanistan. Dubey was in the squad vs Aus at home. Wasn’t picked for SA. Back in the team vs AFG. Also, where is Ishan Kishen? Any news on his availability?” Chopra wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan is slated to get underway on January 11 in Mohali. Indore and Bengaluru will host the second and third games on January 14 and January 17, respectively.
It will be India’s last T20I assignment before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29.
India squad for Afghanistan T20Is:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Akshar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
