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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)
The Ajit Agarkar-led Team India selection committee has some crucial decisions to make before announcing the squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. This is the last T20I assignment before the 2024 World Cup and still, the management is in a quandary over whether to pick stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad for the premier 20-over tournament.
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According to a PTI report, Rohit and Kohli have made it clear that they are eager to participate in the major international event in June. Both veterans have not played a single T20I match since India's semi-final loss to England in the 2022 World Cup. They were also not part of the white ball leg on the tour of South Africa. Hence, the selectors have a big task ahead of them when they announce the squad against Afghanistan.
It is learned that Agarkar, along with the other two national selectors, Shiv Sunder Das and Salil Ankola, are likely to speak to head coach Rahul Dravid along with Rohit and Kohli during the final Test against South Africa. The Indian Cricket Board also hinted that not being included in the squad for the Afghanistan series does not mean that they will not be considered for the World Cup.
IPL 2024 crucial for Rohit and Kohli
The encounter against the Asian team is scheduled to take place between January 11 to 17. Meanwhile, with the crucial five-match England Test series starting on January 25, Rohit and Kohli are unlikely to be selected for the T20I series. The PTI report stated that the Afghanistan series will not decide India's World Cup squad and the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) will be the main benchmark.
“Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya aren’t fit. The Afghanistan series won’t tell you anything. Everything will be decided on the basis of the first month of IPL,” a senior Indian Cricket Board source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
At least 25 to 30 players are likely to be closely monitored during the two-month IPL. This will help the selection committee to have enough players in the line in case of injury or fitness issues to the first choices. “The cricket board can never tell a franchise to manage a star player's workload unless it's a case of injury management,” the source added.