Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have communicated to the BCCI their availability for selection in the shortest format, despite of Rohit and Virat both not featuring in T20 Internationals since the 2022 T20 World Cup.
The selection committee is scheduled to convene on Friday to finalize the squad for the three T20 matches against Afghanistan in which Rohit and Virat are hoping to play and the first two Tests against England. The series against Afghanistan is set to commence on January 11, while the five-match Test series against England begins on January 25.
India is slated to play only three T20 Internationals against Afghanistan before the World Cup in June. However, with the unavailability of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav due to injury, the selection committee faces the task of appointing a new captain for the T20s. Additionally, there are indications that fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah might be rested for the upcoming games against Afghanistan, despite their pivotal roles in India’s recent victory over South Africa at Cape Town on Thursday, which leveled the two-match series. The Indian team management aims to ensure the complete fitness of these two in-form pacers for the extended series against England at home.
Presently, three selectors—SS Das, Salil Ankola, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar—are in Cape Town.
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