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Ahead of the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, India’s selectors find themselves in a challenging situation due to the unavailability of key players Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, who were considered for the captaincy role in the Twenty20 format. Their absence has left the selection committee with a difficult decision to make.
The main dilemma revolves around choosing between experienced players like Rohit Sharma or opting for a younger talent like Shubman Gill. While Ravindra Jadeja and Shreyas Iyer are also viable options, the core issue lies in the selectors’ indecision regarding their focus on the upcoming five months leading to the Twenty20 World Cup or their intention to groom younger players for the future.
The final decision is expected to be made during the scheduled selection committee meeting later today. Sources indicate that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have expressed their availability for T20Is, signaling their readiness to return to the format after more than a year. Their last T20I appearance was during the T20 World Cup semifinals against England in November 2022.
Although there is a leaning towards planning for the future and providing opportunities to young players, the selectors acknowledge Rohit Sharma’s exceptional leadership and recent batting prowess, making his inclusion a compelling proposition. The role of head coach Rahul Dravid is also expected to be crucial in the decision-making process.
Currently, Ajit Agarkar, along with colleagues Shiv Sundar Das and Salil Ankola, is in Cape Town, while Subrata Banerjee and S Sharath are in India. The group will convene to finalize the squad, with a focus on balancing experience and youth for the upcoming series against Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, who is yet to fully recover from his injury, has been active in his fitness regimen and is expected to be fit for the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he will lead the Mumbai Indians. Suryakumar Yadav, on the other hand, is set to be sidelined for at least a month due to an ankle injury.
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