IND vs AFG: Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Give BCCI Green Signal To Represent India In ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Indian batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have reportedly expressed their interest in being part of the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have made themselves available for selection and have informed the BCCI.

Kohli and Rohit have been absent from India’s T20I squad since the team’s semi-final exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup. In Rohit’s absence, all-rounder Hardik Pandya took charge of the team in the short format. Pandya was sidelined for the last two series due to an injury.

Kohli and Rohit emerged as the highest run scorers in the ODI World Cup 2023, with Kohli leading the charts with 765 runs and Rohit securing the second position with 597 runs. Despite their batting brilliance, the Men in Blue failed to secure the ICC title at home.

Selectors To Announce India’s Squad For Afghanistan Series On Friday

The selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, is set to meet on Friday to finalize the squad for the T20 matches and the first two Tests against England. It’s worth mentioning that India has only three more T20I matches as part of their preparation for the World Cup.

The first match between Team India and Afghanistan is scheduled to be played in Mohali on January 11. The selection committee is expected to announce a new captain, given the unavailability of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav due to their respective injuries.

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Jasprit Bumrah And Mohammed Siraj To Be Rested For T20 Series

According to an Indian Express report, the selection committee is considering resting fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming games against Afghanistan. The two pacers will be seen in action during the Test match series against England.

Bumrah and Siraj made significant contributions to India’s recent victory over South Africa in Cape Town. Bumrah took 8 wickets in the second Test, while Siraj contributed 7 wickets. Bumrah was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his outstanding bowling performances.

The Indian team management is inclined to manage the workload of the two pacers and preserve them for the Test matches against England. Two of the national team selectors, Shiv Sunder Das and Salil Ankola, are currently in Cape Town, according to the report.

Both Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Should Be There – Harbhajan Singh

In a conversation with ANI News, Harbhajan Singh said that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should be included in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup. Harbhajan highlighted the need for experienced senior players like Virat and Rohit alongside the younger talents.

“I think both Virat (Kohli) and Rohit (Sharma) should be there in the World Cup…I think a good combination would be possible only when you have good senior players too with the youth. Virat and Rohit have a lot of mettle in them…I think they should play,” said Harbhajan Singh.

“India lost the World Cup final because they did not play well. Australia played better and played boldly. We succumbed to the pressure after losing the third wicket. We could have scored 280-290 runs. A lot of blame is being placed on pitch, dew and conditions, but we must accept that we did not play well under pressure,” he added.

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