Team India are supposed to host Afghanistan in a white-ball series next month. While some reports claim that BCCI is not able to find space for the series in the jam-packed schedule, there is a possibility that the second-string team might take part with all seniors including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested before the West Indies tour.

Notably, most of India’s first-choice players featuring in the daunting IPL 2023 season for close to two months will be in England for the World Test Championship against Australia, slated to be held at the Oval from June 7-11.

Subsequently, senior players like Rohit and Kohli will need rest before they depart for the West Indies tour, comprising two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is from July 12 to August 13.

According to a PTI report, the only window for the Afghanistan series is between June 20-30 and the BCCI might shorten the series or may convert it into either T20I or ODI series and play a second-string side led by Hardik Pandya.

As per the report, Mirwais Ashraf, the president of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), is in India to attend the IPL final and while a meeting between the members of the Asian Cricket Council is slated to take place, India and Afghanistan boards could also finalise the details of their proposed limited-overs series.

The Indian team has a gruelling schedule lined up after the culmination of the IPL. Besides the WTC final, home series against Afghanistan and the West Indies tour, the team is expected to play a three-match T20I series in Ireland.

The ACC board members will meet on the sidelines of the IPL final to take a call on the fate of the Asia Cup 2023.

If finalised, the continental tournament is likely to be played in September. Moreover, India are also set to play a three-match ODI series against Australia in September.

As a result, the Indian players will be hard pressed to find time to rest and recuperate before the ODI World Cup at home in October-November.

(With PTI Inputs)