/mazaplay/media/agency_attachments/EqX62rkwonI9tRKyXUEH.png)
Follow Us/mazaplay/media/media_files/13Gwb10XhjPYVEryY4o4.jpeg)
Virat Kohli (Source: Twitter)
In the series opener against Afghanistan on January 11, star batter Virat Kohli, who recently returned to the T20I squad, will be unavailable due to personal reasons, as confirmed by head coach Rahul Dravid in a pre-match press conference on Wednesday. Kohli, making his comeback, last featured in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-finals against England.
The absence of the 35-year-old batsman allows Rohit Sharma to lead the side in the upcoming match in Mohali, marking his return to the squad. Fans criticised the return of the star duo, expressing scepticism about their comeback due to the emergence of young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
In the past year, these youngsters showcased impressive performances in the top order, while Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh excelled in the middle order. As the T20 World Cup approaches in June this year and injuries sideline Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, the BCCI top brass trusted the senior duo.
Kohli, securing the fourth position among leading run scorers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last season, amassed 639 runs in 14 matches. Additionally, he claimed the top spot as the highest run-getter in the preceding T20 World Cup.
Shubman Gill is set to don number 3
With Virat Kohli being absent from the first T20I, Rahul Dravid has confirmed that Gill will probably take over as No. 3 in the Indian batting order, while Rohit and Jaiswal will open for the side. It is anticipated that Tilak and Rinku will maintain their spots in the XI. However, suspense lingers over the first-choice wicketkeeper role, with Jitesh Sharma competing against Sanju Samson.
India's last engagement in the shortest format before the T20 World Cup, the T20I series against Afghanistan, is underway. The team will subsequently shift its focus to the five-test series against England. Following the Afghanistan T20Is, the Indian Premier League season is likely to take place in March, April, and May.