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The Indian men’s cricket team is set to engage in a three-match T20 international series against Afghanistan from January 11 to 17, marking their inaugural home fixtures of the 2024 cricket season. Commencing on Thursday, the world’s top-ranked team, India, will kick off the series in Mohali. Subsequently, the second T20 clash is scheduled for Indore, with the final match slated to unfold in Bengaluru. You can install the 4RaBet app from the official site https://4rabet-india.in/application/ and place your bets for that series.
A match of this format is interesting for cricket fans in itself. But what is even more interesting is the news that two legends of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have been announced as T20 players.
Background: Why Did Sharma And Kohli Leave The T20 Indian Team
The absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from India’s T20 International (T20I) matches after the 2022 T20 World Cup has stirred speculation. Despite expressing their eagerness to participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup, the duo last featured in a T20I for India in November 2022.
As both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were included in the Indian squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled to commence on Thursday, discussions about India’s team composition for the impending T20 World Cup have intensified. The seasoned players had refrained from T20Is since India’s semi-final exit at the T20 World Cup in November 2022.
However, former chief selector MSK Prasad voiced confidence in the inclusion of Rohit and Virat in the T20 World Cup squad scheduled for June in the USA and West Indies. He highlighted the strategic decision to rest the duo in South Africa after the ODI World Cup, emphasizing the need for a break following a major event. Prasad commended the younger players who filled in during their absence, stating that now, with the focus shifting to T20 cricket, Rohit and Virat should return to action.
Explaining the reason for their T20I hiatus after the last T20 World Cup, Prasad clarified that the emphasis was on ODIs as India was gearing up for the ODI World Cup. The selectors and team management aimed to provide opportunities to younger players who were eyeing a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. With the transition towards T20 cricket, Prasad expressed confidence in Rohit and Virat’s return to the playing XI. Prasad, who served as chief selector until December 2019, provided insights into the selectors’ strategic decisions during his tenure.
Return Confirmed: Kohli And Sharma Will Play Against Afghanistan
After an absence of over a year from the T20 format, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli make their return to India’s T20I squad for the three-match series against Afghanistan, marking the team’s final T20I series before the T20 World Cup in June. Rohit is set to lead the squad, with Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, who captained in Rohit’s absence, ruled out due to injuries.
Former South African captain Ab de Villiers endorses the inclusion of Virat Kohli in India’s plans as they gear up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States of America later this year. Kohli’s return to the T20I squad against Afghanistan comes after a 14-month hiatus since the team’s exit from the World Cup semi-final in Australia in November 2022.
Head coach Rahul Dravid has refuted claims of indiscipline leading to the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from the squad for the Afghanistan T20Is. Dravid clarified that Kishan had made himself unavailable for selection during the South African tour. Kishan’s last appearance for India dates back to the third T20I against Australia in Guwahati on November 28, 2023.
As Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma approach the twilight of their international careers, the 2024 T20 World Cup is anticipated to be the ‘Last Dance’ of this iconic duo in ICC events. In the previous ICC event, India faced disappointment as Rohit and the team fell short in the final, marking their first defeat of the tournament against Australia. This defeat prolonged India’s decade-long quest for an ICC trophy despite a flawless performance leading up to the 2023 World Cup final.
How Did India Play Without Rohit-Kohli
In the period since Kohli and Rohit last featured for the Men In Blue, India has participated in 25 T20Is. During this span, they secured victories in 16 matches and faced defeat in seven, with one game resulting in a tie and another being abandoned. India maintained a commendable win percentage of 64% in the absence of Rohit and Kohli. Notably, their performance on home soil was particularly strong, winning 11 out of 14 games with only three losses, reflecting a remarkable 72.73% win percentage since 2022.
In away fixtures, playing the shortest format, India recorded eight victories and four losses from 14 games, resulting in a win percentage of 57.14. This statistical overview underscores India’s competitive standing in T20Is, showcasing a balanced performance both at home and abroad in the absence of the veteran duo.
India And Afghanistan Squads
Here’s the predicted XI for both India and Afghanistan in the first T20Is of 2024:
| India Predicted XI | Afghanistan Predicted XI |
| Rohit Sharma (C) | Hazratullah Zazai |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) |
| Shubman Gill | Ibrahim Zadran (C) |
| Tilak Varma | Najibullah Zadran |
| Rinku Singh | Mohammad Nabi |
| Sanju Samson/ Jitesh Sharma (wk) | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Axar Patel | Mujeeb-ur-Rahman |
| Arshdeep Singh | Sharafuddin Ashraf |
| Avesh Khan | Qais Ahmad |
| Kuldeep Yadav/Ravi Bishnoi | Noor Ahmad/Naveen-ul-Haq |
| Mukesh Kumar | Fazalhaq Farooqi |
Results Of First Match India Vs Afghanistan In 2024
In the inaugural game of the three-match T20 series against Afghanistan, India secured a six-wicket victory as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the T20 squad, absent since November 2022, added vigor, although Kohli was unavailable for the opening match due to personal reasons.
Shivam Dube’s impressive 60 off 40 balls earned him the Player of the Match accolade. The next encounter is set for Indore on Sunday. The T20 World Cup is set to kick off on June 1, featuring co-hosts USA against Canada in Dallas, while India is slated to face Pakistan in their group-stage clash in New York on June 9. This series marks India’s final T20 internationals ahead of the World Cup.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the Indian national T20I squad marks a significant moment for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. After an absence since November 2022, their inclusion brings seasoned leadership and unparalleled batting prowess to the team as they gear up for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean.
The anticipation surrounding their comeback adds a layer of excitement to the cricketing landscape, as fans eagerly await their dynamic performances on the international stage. With the experienced duo back in the fold, India looks forward to a robust and formidable campaign, hoping to make a lasting impact in the much-anticipated T20 World Cup.
Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma Making A Comeback In T20Is Video
FAQ
Why didn’t Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play T20Is in 2023?
They were prioritizing ODIs and Test cricket, focusing on the ODI World Cup and the WTC, respectively.
When did Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play their last T20I match until 2024?
Their last T20I match was in November 2022 during the T20 World Cup.
Is it true that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will return to the Indian team for T20I matches?
Yes, they have returned and were included in the squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan in 2024.
Why did Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to the T20I squad?
With the focus shifting to the T20 World Cup, the experienced duo returned to strengthen the team’s T20 lineup.
When will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play the first match after the T20I break?
Virat Kohli missed the opening match due to personal reasons, but both are expected to feature in the upcoming matches of the series against Afghanistan.
Who will captain the Indian T20I team in 2024?
Rohit Sharma has been named the captain of the Indian T20I team in 2024.
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