Virat Kohli to miss first T20I against Afghanistan
Cricket
Kohli will skip the game due to personal reasons but will be available for the second and third T20I
(Web Desk) - Virat Kohli is set to miss the first T20I against Afghanistan due to personal reasons.
Returning to the T20I squad for the first time since the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli will not feature in the first match of the series against Afghanistan as confirmed by Rahul Dravid to the media.
Kohli will skip the game due to personal reasons but will be available for the second and third T20I.
Kohli and Rohit Sharma were set to feature in the three-match series as India prepare for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
Rohit will lead the side in the T20Is while Afghanistan will be led by Ibrahim Zadran, with Rashid Khan ruled out of the series as he recovers after his ankle surgery.
Speaking to the media ahead of the first T20I in Mohali, Dravid also confirmed that Rohit will be partnered by Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order.
“We're certainly opening with Rohit and Jaiswal," the head coach said.
"When you have such a squad, you have the flexibility to do what is in the best interest of the team. Nothing is closed but we're happy with what Jaiswal has done as an opener for us. He gives us a left-hand combination as well at the top."
Dravid also stated that workload management was the reason behind the absence of Test stars Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja and clarified that Ishan Kishan was not yet available for selection.
"Ishan Kishan was not available for selection," the former Indian batter said.
"Ishan requested for a break, which we agreed in South Africa. We supported it. He has not yet made himself available."
These three T20Is will be the last India play ahead of the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean Islands and USA. The second and third T20Is will be played in Indore and Bengaluru respectively.
