Rohit Sharma has won the toss and chosen to bowl first
– Yashasvi Jaiswal is out with a last-minute groin injury
– Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson and Avesh Khan are all sitting out as well
– Virat Kohli will be available for selection in the second and third T20Is
– Afghanistan are without Rashid Khan for this match
– This is the last T20I series for India before the T20 World Cup later this year
However, here we are, talking about the two players making their comeback in the format just months before the 2024 T20 World Cup. Kohli will be playing in the second and third T20Is but Rohit is in today as the skipper of the squad. The Afghanistan series will be India’s final rehearsal for the T20I World Cup hosted by two-time winners West Indies and the United States. Just like Kohli, Rohit’s return has forced India to make a noteworthy change in its opening lineup. Before young Yashasvi Jaiswal was pitted against Shubman Gill, Kohli’s exit solved a selection dilemma, at least for the series opener. Head coach Dravid confirmed that Jaiswal and Rohit are India’s first-choice openers in the 1st T20I at Mohali.
This also means that Test No.3 batter Shubman Gill can take up Kohli’s spot in the Indian XI, at least for the series opener. Gill was picked as the third opener for the Afghanistan T20Is. India are without wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer and former vice-captain KL Rahul for the entire T20I series against Afghanistan. Visitors Afghanistan will also miss the services of superstar Rashid Khan.