The Indian cricket team for the 1st T20 against Afghanistan has been announced, and a star batsman Virat Kohli, who hasn’t played in T20s since November 2022 was back to the squad but India has faced a big setback before the 1st T20 against Afghanistan on January 11. The head coach, Rahul Dravid, has announced that Virat Kohli, a key player, will not be playing in the 1st T20 due to personal reasons.
🗣️ 🗣️ It will be a good challenge against the Afghanistan spinners and we are looking forward to it#TeamIndia Head Coach Rahul Dravid ahead of the #INDvAFG T20I series starting tomorrow @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Tr6P7zOMSL
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 10, 2024
Batting Options For India in 1st T20 Against Afghanistan
In the press conference before the match, Rahul Dravid confirmed that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma will be the opening batters for the team. With Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill might find it challenging to be in the starting lineup. However, Kohli’s absence opens up the opportunity for Shubman Gill to possibly take the number three spot in Team.
Tilak Varma is expected to take the number four position in the absence of Suryakumar Yadav. He will also serve as a sixth bowling option since Hardik Pandya is not available.
Rinku Singh, who has performed well in international cricket, will retain the number-five spot. Jitesh Sharma is likely to be the team’s main wicketkeeper, meaning Sanju Samson will have to wait for his turn.
Bowling Options For India in 1st T20 Against Afghanistan
India has chosen only three fast bowlers for the squad, so Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh Khan will all be in the starting lineup. For the number seven position, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are competing, but Axar’s recent success and reputation are likely to secure his spot in the opening match.
The final position is a tough decision between Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav, both of whom have been in great form. Kuldeep is expected to start since he was the team’s first choice in South Africa and even achieved a five-wicket haul in the third T20I.
The Predicted Playing 11 For Team India
Team India's first #T20I of 2024 – bring it on! 👊 pic.twitter.com/Pgkp6gIHG0
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) January 11, 2024
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar
Also Read: BCCI ANNOUNCED TEAM INDIA FOR AFGHANISTAN T20 SERIES, ROHIT SHARMA WILL BE THE CAPTAIN
