The Senior Men’s Selection Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the 16-member Indian team for the T-20 series against Afghanistan starting from January 11. Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav could not be a part of this series due to injuries.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have returned to the T20 team after almost 14 months. Now the question is, what will be India’s playing XI in the first match of the T20 series against Afghanistan to be played from January 11? Who will get a chance in place of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav? For this the team management will have to put a lot of thinking.
IND v AFG: Team India’s Best Playing XI
Openers: Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal
In the first T20 to be played against Afghanistan in Mohali. Rohit Sharma Yashasvi Jaiswal can enter the opening along with him. He has been performing brilliantly in this format for some time now. Along with this, he also gives a combination of left and right in the top order. In such a situation, Shubhman Gill may have to wait.
Apart from his century, Shubman Gill has not performed much in T2oI in this format and his last few innings have been quite worrying. Although this youngster will soon stand on his feet, but looking at the current combination of the team, it seems that he may have to sit for the time being.
Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh
Virat Kohli Performs well in the top order, but against Afghanistan he may have to bat at number 3. His gear in the middle overs and his game against spin will have to improve.
Without Suryakumar, Tilak Verma is likely to get a few more chances to prove himself. The young left-hander has been sent up and down the order for quite some time now, and number 4 could be ideal for him. He will also serve as the sixth bowling option.
Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma are the two wicketkeepers who have been included in the squad. Sanju Samson has played more T20I cricket in recent times, but he can still fit into the team. He recently scored his first international century.
Rinku Singh has been brilliant since his debut in international cricket and it is almost certain that he will play in the middle order. He will play the role of finisher for the team.
All-rounder: Axar Patel
In this playing XI Akshar Patel Washington will be ahead of Sundar. The left-handed batsman showed better bowling against Australia and he would like to continue that form further. He would like more opportunities to spend some time in the middle while batting.
Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar (Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar)
India has selected only three fast bowlers in the team, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh. These three need to play to strengthen the team in the bowling department.
Kuldeep Yadav recently took a five-wicket haul, but Ravi Bishnoi, who was the player of the series against Australia, could be a better option this time. The right-arm leg spinner can bowl in the powerplay and can also play the defensive role when needed.