IND vs AFG: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Have Been Selected In T20Is Based On... - Kiran More

Former India National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter Kiran More has shared his views on the selection of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20I squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team.

The T20I matches between India and Afghanistan are set to be held on January 11, 14 and 17. The Mohali, Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium will be the host for the first match while the next two games will be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, and M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

The biggest talking point coming out of India’s squad announcement for the Afghanistan T20I series was the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the setup in the shorter format after a long period of time.

The duo hasn’t played any T20I matches for the India National Cricket Team since the humiliating loss to the England National Cricket Team in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. The BCCI selection committee gave chances to the youngsters during this period and they did a terrific job for the side.

However, with the return of the seniors to the T20I setup, there is a huge possibility of them getting a preference in the squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies.

“Very Good News For Indian Cricket” – Kiran More On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s T20I Comeback

During a discussion on Sports 18, Kiran More was questioned whether the selection of Kohli and Rohit for Afghanistan T20Is is an indication of their T20 World Cup 2024 selection.

Responding to the query, More said that Rohit and Kohli have been included in the T20I squad based on their recent form and their World Cup 2023 heroics. He elaborated:

“They have been selected based on their recent form. Your (selectors) thinking changed slightly after two years. I don’t know what their thinking was earlier but both gave fantastic performances in the World Cup and looked in form in the South Africa series as well.”

“The way Rohit Sharma captained in the World Cup and we reached the final as well, he played exceptional innings, the aggression he showed, so the thinking changed slightly. So both have been recalled and it is very good news for Indian cricket.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator was also asked about the message conveyed to Hardik Pandya following the inclusion of the veterans to the T20I squad. Reacting to this, Kiran More said that the star all-rounder, who has been leading India in T20Is since the T20 World Cup 2022, needs to get fit quickly and play matches before the World Cup. He elaborated:

“Firstly, Hardik needs to get fit. He needs to start playing cricket first, that’s extremely necessary. Once he does that, Hardik Pandya definitely ticks all the boxes. He has also been the captain earlier.

“We don’t know the selectors’ thinking, what has gone on inside, but Hardik will come into the team as soon as he gets fit. He needs to play matches before the World Cup. We don’t know when he will start, probably in the IPL, but he is preparing hard. He is the world’s top all-rounder and every team will want to have him.”

Hardik Pandya is currently out of action due to the injury he sustained in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. He is likely to make his comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.