IND vs AFG: With the BCCI selection committee likely to announce the Indian squad for the Afghanistan series next week, Rohit Sharma could return.
After the two-match Test series against South Africa, the Indian cricket team will face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series. IND vs AFG is the last bilateral T20I series before the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, with injuries to Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Ruturaj Gaikwad – the three captains of the T20I team – the BCCI selection committee is faced with to a dilemma. Rohit Sharma is likely to end his T20I exile to lead the team again. The Indian squad for the India vs Afghanistan T20I series is expected next week.
Rohit Sharma has been in T20I exile since the T20 World Cup in 2022. However, as the selectors and the BCCI want him to lead India in the T20 World Cup in 2024, he could return for three matches before refocus on testing.
“It is the coaches who decide who will lead the team. We had a long discussion with Rohit and he is ready to lead the T20 World Cup. But England's Test series is more important. And Ajit (Agarkar) will talk to Rohit and ask him if he will return to the show. a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
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Who will lead India in IND vs AFG match?
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya has become the de facto leader of the T20 team. However, he was sidelined after injuring his ankle during India's World Cup match against Bangladesh in October. His injury is still not recovered and he will most likely make a comeback in IPL 2024.
Suryakumar Yadav, who led India against Australia and South Africa, will also miss the match due to an ankle injury. His compatriot Ruturaj Gaikwad, who led India at the Asian Games, is also injured.
So India now needs to find a replacement or go back to Rohit Sharma.
Ravindra Jadeja is unlikely to play in the IND vs AFG T20 series as he plays a key role in India's plans for the England Test series. Therefore, the second best option is Jasprit Bumrah, who will likely miss the workload management series.
Only Rohit Sharma remains. There are doubts whether Rohit will continue to play T20Is. However, given that the T20 series will be the last series before the T20 World Cup in 2024, it is likely that it will be held again.
Ahead of the IND vs SA Test series, Rohit Sharma hinted at his return to T20Is.
“I want to play the cricket that’s in front of me.” said Rohit in the pre-match press conference.
