IND vs AFG: On Sunday, January 7, BCCI announced the squad for the first time against the Afghanistan team visiting India. Senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are returning to the team, and both players will be seen playing together in T20 matches after a long gap of 14 months. Secondly, key players like Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and KL Rahul are out of the squad due to injury. In such a situation, the question arises: who will replace them? Down below this article cover: Team India Expected Playing 11 in first T20I
The first match between India and Afghanistan will be played at the Punjab Cricket Association’s IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. There could be a lot of headache for Rohit Sharma in choosing his playing 11 in the first T20I. Rohit’s aim will be to fill the places of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, along with the challenge of choosing a strong bowling attack.
The biggest challenge before the captain will be to choose his fellow opener batsman; only one of Shubham Gill and Yashvi Jaiswal can get a place in the team. But Jaiswal has been playing well in T20 cricket for some time now, due to which he may get first priority. The team management will also try to take advantage of the left-right combination.
King Kohli will be seen playing in his favorite position, number 3. In place of T20 number 1 batsman Suryakumar Yadav, either Sanju Samson or Tilak Verma can be seen playing. The Indian team will also be looking for a wicketkeeper; in such a situation, it is almost certain that Sanju Samson will be in the playing 11.
Rinku Singh, who has performed brilliantly in the T20 format, will play his role at number five against Afghanistan, while Shivam Dubey and Washington Sundar can be seen batting in the lower order.
The Indian captain will take the field with three fast bowlers and one spinner in the first T20 match against Afghanistan. The captain does not have many options among fast bowlers, and in the absence of senior players Siraj, Shami, and Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar are in the playing 11. And Avesh Khan can be seen playing. Among Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep can get a place in the playing 11 because, along with good bowling, he also brings experience with him.
India Expected Playing 11
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar.
India Full Squad
Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Tilak Verma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar.
For more details head to ICC’s official website.
