Rohit Sharma takes charge as India’s captain in the upcoming T20 series against Afghanistan, with Virat Kohli opting out of the opening match due to personal reasons. Both players are returning to T20 action after a 14-month hiatus, providing a crucial assessment ahead of the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan faces a setback with the absence of their star spinner, Rashid Khan, recovering from a back surgery.
Rohit, leading the side and opening alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, is expected to showcase his aggressive style, as seen in the ODI World Cup. This series serves as the final opportunity for players to stake their claim for the T20 World Cup squad, with IPL performances carrying significant weight in the selection process.
While India is the favorite in home conditions, Afghanistan, coming off an impressive ODI World Cup campaign, poses a formidable challenge. Key players to watch for India include Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, and the returning Shivam Dube, especially with the absence of injured players like Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.
Afghanistan, now at full strength after resolving contractual issues with players like Mujeeb Zadran and Naveen-Ul Haq, aims to build on their recent success. The match begins at 7 pm local time, promising an exciting contest as both teams fine-tune their strategies before the T20 World Cup.
