India (Commonwealth) _ Rahul Dravid said at a press conference that Virat Kohli will not play the first T20I against Afghanistan for personal reasons. The announcement surprised Indian supporters who had been hoping for Kohli to return to T20Is after not playing in them since the 2022 T20 World Cup.
There are various rumors on social media about Kohli’s genuine reason for missing the first T20I, one of which being his daughter Vamika’s birthday. Her birthday is January 11th, which is also the day of the first T20I, thus it appears that Virat Kohli wants to be with his daughter on her third birthday.
This is most likely the explanation for Virat Kohli’s absence from the first T20I; he will participate in the second and third T20Is, which are slated for Indore and Bengaluru, respectively. This is a vital series for India in regards to preparation for the T20 World Cup, which will be held in June 2024, and with Rohit Sharma returning as captain, India will be seeking to check off as many boxes as possible in this three-match T20I series.
Virat Kohli just returned to the Indian T20I lineup with Rohit Sharma, and he was previously scheduled to play all three T20Is. However, it appears that Kohli’s last-minute effort has interrupted those preparations, and India will have to hunt elsewhere for the number three place in the first T20I in Mohali.
This is India’s penultimate series before the T20 World Cup 2024, which begins on June 1st, therefore all three games are vital from a World Cup standpoint. Neither Rohit Sharma nor Virat Kohli have played a T20I since the 2022 T20 World Cup, but the selectors and team management are eager for their involvement in a major competition like the World Cup.
In the absence of Virat Kohli, Sanju Samson may bat at number three for India, as Coach Rahul Dravid has announced that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal would start the innings. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, will be available for the second and third T20Is, and he will be eager to make an immediate impression in order to dispel any worries about his participation in the World Cup.
Who will replace Virat Kohli?
Virat Kohli, a veteran Indian hitter, will not play in the opening T20I against Afghanistan in Mohali. In his absence, potential Hyderabad batsman Tilak Varma is set to play at number three, while India prefers Shubman Gill as opener.
Varma struggled with the bat during the recent South African series. So, this game might be a fantastic opportunity for the kid to reclaim his mojo. Meanwhile, keeper-batsman Sanju Samson will likely bat fourth, followed by India’s new finisher Rinku Singh and all-rounders Shivam Dube and Axar Patel.
In the absence of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh will lead India’s pace attack alongside Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar, with Kuldeep Yadav as the top spinner.
Indian team likely to be included the first T20I against Afghanistan. Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar.
This series is critical for both sides because it allows them to clear up any ambiguities before the all-important T20 World Cups in the Caribbean and the United States. As both sides prepare for a high-octane match, let’s take a look at the facts for Punjab’s renowned arena.
The PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali staged its maiden T20 international match on December 12, 2009, with hosts India defeating Sri Lanka in a high-scoring contest. Yuvraj Singh became India’s bat and ball hero on his birthday, smashing a quick-fire 25-ball 60* and taking three wickets.
Overall, Mohali Stadium has held six Twenty20 Internationals, with the chasing side winning four of them. Bowlers have struggled to get going at Mohali, where the average run rate is a staggering 9.13. The hitters average 35 runs per wicket on this track, indicating that it is ideal for batting.
Furthermore, considering that dew will play a key role, the toss-winner will probably bowl first.
