After a rather successful tour of South Africa, the Indian team will be back at home. Their next assignment will be a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. That series will kick start with the first game on January 11 at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. The squad is likely to be announced pretty soon.
3. Giving Chance to Youngsters
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have not played a T20I match since the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. Though they have been active in IPL, they have opted out of T20 internationals. And as seen in the last few T20I series, India have gone with a young squad, which has responded well. So India should give chances to youngsters, because these are the only three T20Is before the T20 World Cup 2024.
2. Creating Backup options
These coming three T20Is are the only games left to play for India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Virat and Rohit are experienced and can deliver at a big stage. If India is looking for them to play the T20 World Cup then their performance in the IPL 2024 will also be enough for selection. But India needs to look for the backups. Players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan in the top order, so in case of form or injury, someone from these can be available as replacement.
1. Preparing for the coming Test Series vs England
Team India will be hosting England for a five-match test series after the T20I series against Afghanistan. The test series will start on January 25, which is very important, as it can define India’s position in the ongoing World Test Championship. So, both Rohit and Virat are the important parts of it and it will be a one and half month assignment, and India wants both of these to be fit and fresh. Playing in T20Is can be tricky. Hence, both these should opt out of the Afghan T20Is.
