The BCCI revealed India’s team for the imminent three-game T20I series on Sunday, January 7. The matches begin on Thursday, January 11 in Mohali.
The buzz centers on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s comeback. They have been absent from the T20I framework since the 2022 T20 World Cup’s end. Despite divisive thoughts, the seasoned pair was selected for the team.
The Boys in Blue have a comparable group, reflected from their South Africa and Australia series. Yet, few selections in the squad might stir some debate.
Let’s highlight three fortunate Indian players who made it into the team for the T20I series with Afghanistan.
3. Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube, after a great performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), returned to the national team. But since then, he’s only participated in two games. Rather than filling a spin-hitting role, he’s found himself hitting later in the lineup.
Dube was later left out of India’s last Twenty20 International match against South Africa, most likely due to his ineffective style of play on fast-paced pitches. Now that he’s returned, he will face Afghanistan, a team renowned for their skill with spin.
Where, yet, is the consistency? Dube did not receive a sufficient number of games in his preferred position prior to being benched. And now that Rohit and Kohli are back, India has new intentions for its top four, so the 30-year-old might not be able to have an effect again.
Dube was undoubtedly fortunate to be selected for the Afghanistan T20Is; whether he deserves to be in the team or not is debatable, given the manner in which the selectors have been acting lately.
2. Mukesh Kumar
Over the past year, a common query arises – what makes Mukesh Kumar a choice for white-ball cricket?
In 11 T20Is, Mukesh claimed 10 wickets with a rate of 9.28 per game. Despite some commendable death-bowling displays, his overall performance doesn’t strongly justify his selection for every format against various teams.
Despite his achievements, Mukesh may not have enough equipment to be a reliable limited-overs bowler. India hasn’t employed him in the powerplay, where he should be most effective, and his dependence on the yorker is a losing tactic.
There are only three fast bowlers in India’s roster, and Mukesh is one of those players who consistently performs well even if there are a number of reasons not to include him.
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma isn’t just on the Indian team for the Afghanistan T20Is; he’s the skipper. This opener has smashed it in India’s other formats lately, but his T20I game? It’s been faltering for a while now.
Rohit’s struggles are more noticeable, as his performance in the IPL for Mumbai Indians (MI), a team he no longer leads, has not been strong. Considering rising talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal now getting opportunities, Rohit’s omission might not surprise many.
Questions about Rohit’s future have been looming since the 2022 T20 World Cup ended. It’s not too shocking that he’s been selected again. But he’s arguably lucky to get another shot in the shortest format.
