Indian Cricket Team playing XI vs Afghanistan, T20I series 2024 - Predicted

This will be Indian Cricket Team’s last T20I series before the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Ajit Agarkar led the selection panel and picked a 16-member side for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The series will commence on 11th January at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. The first match of the series will mark the return of two giants of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their entry is likely to play a big part in Indian plans in T20Is while aiming at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be resuming their T20I career after a long gap of 15 months. This will bring a new look into the current Indian playing XI. A few youngsters like Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal have already claimed their spots in the playing XI with their super performance. Let’s have a look at the possible Indian Cricket Team playing XI for the T20I series against Afghanistan.

1. Rohit Sharma (C):

India captain Rohit Sharma will be back as a leader of the T20I side against Afghanistan in the three-match T20I series. Rohit Sharma will be resuming his T20I career after 15 months, his last T20I game was in the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final against England in Adelaide. Rohit Sharma will be taking up the role of opener and this will also mark his intentions clear about the upcoming T20 World Cup in June.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal:

Yashasvi Jaiswal might accompany captain Rohit Sharma in the first T20I between India and Afghanistan. Yashasvi Jaiswal shared the opening partnership along with Rohit in test cricket. Yashasvi has been one of the best performers for India in T20Is. Jaiswal has so far scored 430 runs in 14 T20I innings. He also smashed a century against Nepal in the Asian Games 2023.

3. Virat Kohli:

Along with skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli will also mark his comeback in the T20Is, which clears his thoughts about the upcoming mega T20I event in the West Indies and USA. Virat, along with Rohit, was away from this format of the game apart from the IPL and will be resuming his T20I career. Virat Kohli would be a certain pick for Indian Cricket Team management along with captain Rohit Sharma in the playing XI.

4. Tilak Varma:

Indian youngsters have had a brilliant campaign for the T20I side in the last year. Tilak Varma is one of the top finds for the Indian Cricket Team in the limited-overs format. Tilak has so far played 15 T20I games and scored 310 runs in his career. Left-hand batter Tilak will be a formidable option for India in the middle order. Tilak looks like a certain pick in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup.

5. Shivam Dube:

Hardik Pandya’s injury has prompted the Indian team management to look for other options in the all-round department. Shivam Dube was tested during the Asian games and he did an exceptional job as a power-hitter. Shivam will be given the role of a pinch-hitter in the Indian middle-order against Afghanistan. Shivam also had a stellar run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023.

6. Rinku Singh:

Rinku Singh is probably the finest T20I finisher around the world right currently. Rinku Singh has been the top-performer for India in T20I cricket since his debut last year. Rinku has batted with a magnificent strike rate of over 180 in his 8 T20I innings so far. Rinku is also a certain choice as a finisher in the playing XI. Rinku has so far scored 262 runs in his 8 T20I innings for India.

7. Jitesh Sharma (WK):

Wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma is likely to be picked in the playing XI over Sanju Samson. Jitesh Sharma has faced only 46 balls in his 5 T20I innings and scored 69 runs. Jitesh will be taking up gloves and bat in the lower middle-order for India. Jitesh played two brilliant innings against Australia in the five-match T20I series played last month.

8. Axar Patel:

All-rounder Axar Patel is likely to be given responsibility at number 8. Indian Cricket Team were lacking a formidable option at number 8 and played with a long tail in several T20I and ODI games in recent past. Axar Patel will have a huge responsibility in the Indian lower order as well as a spinner along with Kuldeep Yadav. Axar Patel was not part of the Indian playing XI in the last T20I series against South Africa.

9. Kuldeep Yadav:

Kuldeep Yadav played two T20I games against South Africa and managed to pick up a five-wicket haul in the series. Kuldeep Yadav has been running high in confidence and will lead India’s charge in the spin bowling department. Kuldeep Yadav will be India’s key weapon in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. He has played so far 34 T20I games and picked up 58 wickets.

10. Arshdeep Singh:

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will be leading the pace department for India against Afghanistan. Arshdeep Singh has been a prolific performer for the Indian T20I side with the new ball and has provided several early breakthroughs. Mohali will offer a huge amount of swing and Arshdeep Singh is likely to get great assistance at IS Bindra Stadium on 11th January.

11. Mukesh Kumar:

Mukesh Kumar will be accompanying Arshdeep Singh in the pace bowling department. Mukesh had a terrific outing against South Africa and bowled a few magnificent spell in the two T20I matches he played. Mukesh made his international debut against West Indies in mid-2023 and has been a constant figure in the Indian camp. Mukesh has so far played 11 T20Is and picked up 10 wickets.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.