India Squad for T20I Series vs Afghanistan: Rohit Sharma returns as India T20I captain, Virat Kohli also back

No Siraj, Shami and Bumrah in squad

The pace unit will consist of Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar in the absence of Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.

Hardik Pandya's replacement

Shivam Dube has been named as the seam-bowling all-rounder. He hasn't bowled much lately, but can be used for an over or two. The hard-hitting batter has revived his career at CSK. He was recently in Patna for Mumabi's Ranji Trophy match against Bihar.

KL Rahul not yet in the squad

Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma are the two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad. No KL Rahul yet in the T20I squad. Jitesh was preffered over Ishan in South Africa T20Is.

Ishan Kishan left out

Ishan Kishan has not been included in the squad. He took a mental health break while on the South Africa tour. Whether it's a voluntary choice of the cricketer yet again, is uncertain.

Sanju Samson makes his T20I comeback

Sanju Samson missed out on the squad for Australia and South Africa T20Is. However, the absence of SKY and his ODI hundred vs South Africa has paved his way back in the T20I squad in a World Cup year. The wicketkeeper-batter would aim to pounce on the opportunity and make his case stronger for selection in the Indian squad for T20 World Cup 2024.

BREAKING: Rohit and Virat back in T20I squad

India squad for T20I series vs Afghanistan: Rohit Sharma (C), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar

Ishan Kishan to return from mental-health break?

Ishan Kishan took a mental health break after the South Africa ODIs, withdrawing from the Indian Test squad. Will he make his comeback with the series?

KL Rahul also to return?

KL Rahul has also not played any T20I match for India since the T20 World Cup 2022. With the big event T20 World Cup 2024 approaching - will the in-form batter return to India's T20I set up?

Sourav Ganguly bats for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

“Rohit should be the captain. Of course, Virat Kohli is an outstanding player,” replied Ganguly when asked should Virat be also in the team after not having played for 14 months in T20Is.

Can't drop Rohit if he says 'I am available': Kris Srikkanth

"Virat Kohli is a certainty. He is in great form. Rohit Sharma, maybe, is confident because of how he scored in the World Cup. He will regroup and try and do well in the IPL. If Rohit Sharma says I am available, you can't say you will drop him," Kris Srikkanth said in his YouTube show.

"At the end of the day, Rohit Sharma is also hurt that he has lost a World Cup. He would like to go out with a World Cup in his hand at least. He was there in the 2007 World Cup. He would want to do something similar, win a World Cup, and go out.

"Virat Kohli would definitely want to win a T20 World Cup. Moreover, last year only the T20 World Cup took place, 13 months back. Virat Kohli was in extraordinary form," Srikkanth added.

Sanju Samson and Yuzvendra Chahal in reckoning?

Sanju samson and Yuzvendra Chahal were not included in the squad for T20I series against Australia and South Africa. Samson impressed with a hundred in South Africa ODIs. Will the star batter from Kerala get opportunity in the absence of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik. Chahal also featured in the ODI squad only in South Africa. However, he did not get a game to play. His inclusion is highly unlikley.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to return?

It's been over 14 months that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played a T20I match for India? With the scheudles for T20 World Cup 2024 out, the stalwarts are eyeing a comeback in the squad. They have reportedly made themselves available? But will the selectors again trust 'experience' for an ICC event?