As the cricket world eagerly awaits the T20 World Cup 2024, speculation arises around the inclusion of two stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The intrigue deepens as the BCCI named the squad for the upcoming Afghanistan T20I series on January 7, surprising many by including Kohli and Sharma, who have been sidelined from the shortest format for an extended period.
Kohli’s last T20I appearance dates back to the final of the World Cup 2022 against England, while Rohit Sharma’s T20I journey paused at the same tournament. India’s recent strategy seemed geared toward building a new, young T20I team. However, with the World Cup scheduled for June, there’s a mysterious twist in the air.
Adding to the enigma, Rohit Sharma has been named the captain of the Afghanistan series. In his absence from T20Is since the 2022 World Cup, the leadership mantle often fell on Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav in Pandya’s absence. Now, both Pandya and Suryakumar are unavailable due to injuries for the series against Afghanistan, leaving the captaincy in the hands of Sharma.
The rest of the squad exhibits a youthful composition, with players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Tilak Varma making the cut. The wicketkeeping duties will be shared between Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma. Kuldeep Yadav, a seasoned spinner, is also part of the mix.
What’s the hidden plan behind bringing back Kohli and Sharma? Is the Afghanistan series a prelude to a grand farewell on the global stage? As the suspense builds, one thing is certain – after the T20I series, these players will dive straight into IPL 2024, concluding just a week before the T20 World Cup. The answer to the mystery lies in the unfolding chapters of India’s cricketing saga.
Also, see:
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 complete schedule
