India T20I squad vs Afghanistan: Rohit reclaims throne, Ishan dropped, Samson returns, Hardik's replacement found

Add as a preferred source on Google

India T20I squad vs Afghanistan: The BCCI on Saturday (January 7) - named a 16-member squad for the T20I against Afghanistan starting January 11. The suspense over the inclusion of the 'Big 2' was lifted as both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made a comeback in the format for the first time in almost 15 months.

Notably, India don't have any T20I match to play after the series, and IPL 2024 games will be their only dress-rehearsal opportunity before the T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

India T20I squad vs Afghanistan: Key Takeaways

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in mood to play T20 World Cup 2024

Rohit Sharma has not given up on his ambition to win the World Cup as Team India captain. The return of Rohit Sharma in the T20I format after 15 months, and that as the captain, has almost made it certain that he would lead India in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Maybe, Rohit always knew this. In an event in the USA, Rohit Sharma had confidently said of meeting the fans again during the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, the USA is co-hosting the T20 World Cup 2024 with the West Indies.

Virat Kohli, the biggest ambassador of cricket, is also gearing up for the marquee event. His presence will be a great endorsement opportunity in the new cricketing territory USA.

KL Rahul still missing, Sanju Samson back in T20I squad

Like Rohit and Kohli, KL Rahul is also one player who did not play a T20I game after India's exit from the T20 World Cup 2022. The in-form batter has still not made his way back in the squad.

Rahul opens for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL and his strike rate has been a concern in the format. The 16-member squad already has three opening options in Rohit, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.

KL Rahul has been playing in the middle-order in Tests and ODIs, however, he might not be suiting the bill in the T20Is. The likes of Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Singh and Sanju Samson have played a better role in the position when it comes to the shortest format of the game.

Sanju Samson was not included in the squad for Australia and South Africa's T20Is but his ODI hundred in South Africa and the absence of Suryakumar Yadav has helped his comeback in the T20I squad for the first time after August 2022.

The Kerala batter would now aim to capitalise on the opportunity and make a solid case for his selection in the India squad for T20 World Cup 2024.

Ishan Kishan dropped?

The star wicketkeeper-batter has been selected in each India squad since 2023. However, he opted for a mental health break and pulled his name from the Test series against South Africa in December-January.

It's not clear whether he is still on a break or has been dropped altogether. One should note that Jitesh Sharma was preferred over Ishan Kishan in the South Africa T20Is.

Hardik Pandya's replacement found

The star all-rounder was leading the Indian T20I before his injury in the World Cup 2023. He is still recovering, and India have found a near 'like-for-like' replacement for the 30-year-old.

Shivam Dube has retained his spot in the T20I squad after reviving his international career by playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He hasn't rolled his arms that often lately but can surely bowl an over or two for the team. His power-hitting will also help India miss Hardik a little less.