On Thursday, January 11, India will face Afghanistan in the opening T20I of the three-match series at Mohali.
The Men in Blue have previously hinted at their plans for the rubber, which is their final T20I assignment before the 2024 T20 World Cup.
They also don’t have many choices because they were careful in their squad selection.
The following is India’s expected starting lineup for the first T20I against Afghanistan.
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the starters
Head coach Rahul Dravid has announced that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal would begin the batting against Afghanistan in the first T20I.
But he has also stated that the team management wants to leave their options open.
Rohit will be looking to silence his detractors, while Jaiswal will be looking to cement his position at the top of the order.
Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, and Axar Patel are in the middle order
Due to personal reasons, Virat Kohli will miss the first T20I, and India has a few choices to replace him.
Shivam Dube has been on the T20I margins for a time now, with few opportunities.
There is also the prospect of fielding two wicket-keepers Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson.
India, on the other hand, has a lot of trust in Shubman Gill, who hasn’t had a strong run of matches in the shortest format.
In Kohli’s absence, the 24-year-old might fill in at No. 3.
Tilak Varma will provide a left-handed alternative in the middle order while also potentially functioning as a sixth bowler.
During the three-match series against Afghanistan, he will need to be at his best.
It will be difficult for India to choose between Jitesh and Samson because both players have a strong case to be selected.
The fact that the latter just made his first international century might work in his favor, though it was in a different format. This decision might go either way in India.
Rinku Singh, who has emerged as India’s finest finisher after a string of outstanding T20I innings, will round out the hitters.
Meanwhile, Axar Patel is expected to be selected ahead of Washington Sundar as the frontline finger-spinning all-rounder.
Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Kuldeep Yadav are in the lower order
India has just three pacers in its roster, and without a real pace-bowling all-rounder, all three will have to play.
The pace three for the hosts will be Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh Khan.
Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi have both performed admirably for India in recent years.
Bishnoi was named Player of the Series against Australia, and Kuldeep scored five runs in South Africa.
Because the latter accomplishment is more recent, Kuldeep may be retained.
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