Shubman Gill Dropped, Rohit & Kohli In; Here's India's Probable Playing XI For 1st T20I vs AFG
Shubman Gill's recent T20I form might lead to his exclusion [AP]
On Wednesday, India will cross swords with Afghanistan in the first T20I of the upcoming three-match series on home soil. This series holds paramount importance for both teams, allowing them to prepare for the all-important T20 World Cup in the United States and Caribbean.
In a massive positive for team India, veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are all set to participate in the Afghanistan T20Is. The talismans, who have won numerous games for India in the past, will be playing their first-ever T20I since the 2022 World Cup semifinal against England.
So, as India gear up to take on the Afghans, let's see what could be their probable playing XI for the first T20I in Mohali.
India's Likely XI For 1st T20I vs Afghanistan
Top-order: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli
Rohit and Kohli are back in India's T20I team [X.com]
While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are certain starters, the toss-up will be between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill for the second opener's slot.
In India's latest T20I assignment against South Africa, Jaiswal grabbed the limelight with an explosive 41-ball 60 in Johannesburg. On the contrary, Gill has had a horrendous run in the shortest format of late, managing 110 runs at a mediocre average of 15.71 in his last seven innings.
Therefore, considering his red-hot form, Jaiswal is expected to be preferred over Gill for this encounter.
Middle-order: Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel
Experienced Kerala batter Sanju Samson will likely play as India's wicket-keeper in the first T20I. Meanwhile, the swashbuckling trio of Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel will play as the finishers. Besides batting down the order, Dube provides India with a handy sixth bowling option, which the team might need on Mohali's batting-friendly surface.
Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar
In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will be India's wrecker-in-chief with the ball across phases. Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan, who were impressive on the South African tour, will assist the Punjab pacer.
Meanwhile, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav will likely pip Ravi Bishnoi for the lead spinner's role. Kuldeep enjoyed stellar success in South Africa, claiming six wickets, including a fifer, in two outings.
India's probable playing XI for 1st T20I vs AFG
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Sanju Samson (WK), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
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