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With the T20 World Cup 2024 looming four months away, India are gearing up for their final T20I series before the showpiece event. Starting on January 11 at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, the three-match series against Afghanistan marks the Men in Blue's last T20I action before the T20I World Cup 2024.
Following this series, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 will take the center stage, and its performances will play an instrumental role in Indian team selections for the World Cup. Nevertheless, the T20I series against Afghanistan serves as a perfect dress rehearsal for players to impress the selectors and don the coveted blue jersey in the mega event.
For India, this series presents a crucial chance to fine-tune their strategies and combinations. With key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returning to the T20I fold after a 14-month hiatus, much anticipation surrounds their form and impact. The absence of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya due to injury is a blow, but it opens doors for other players to step up and showcase their talent.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be eager to prove their mettle against a formidable Indian side. Led by the ever-dangerous spin duo of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, the Afghan team boasts several exciting young talents who can cause upsets on their day.
Jaiswal to pair up with Rohit for opening role
With the return of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after a 14-month T20I hiatus, India's playing XI for the Afghanistan series is poised for an overhaul. Coach Rahul Dravid has already revealed that Kohli is set to miss the T20I series opener and Rohit's opening partner will be Yashasvi Jaiswal, pushing Shubman Gill down the order or even out of the immediate XI. This right-left pairing was preferred over the Gill-Jaiswal duo utilised during Rohit's absence, and the recent omission of Ruturaj Gaikwad has simplified Dravid's selection headaches to some extent.
This shuffles the batting order and raises questions about Gill's role in the near future. Will he adapt to a lower position? Can he find his form and reclaim his top-order spot? Dravid's decision and Gill's performance in the upcoming series will provide valuable insights into India's T20 World Cup ambitions.
Who will take onus of no.3 in Kohli's absence?
With Kohli absent for the first T20I due to personal reasons, it raises the possibility of Gill filling that slot, which will eventually be taken by Kohli upon his return. Alternatively, Tilak Varma might be considered to make room for two all-rounders in the team. Notably, this could serve as a decisive audition for Varma at No. 3, as Gill has already demonstrated his capabilities, while Varma needs to prove his consistency. His place in the squad could be in jeopardy when Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya make their comebacks.
India may opt to include Shivam Dube and Axar Patel to bolster the bowling options, potentially leading to Gill's exclusion due to a lack of available spots. Among the wicket-keepers, Jitesh Sharma could receive the nod ahead of Sanju Samson, as his aggressive batting style might provide crucial late-order runs, and the team management may want to give him an extended opportunity.
India’s predicted playing XI vs Afghanistan: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan.
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