Who will replace India's Virat Kohli in the 1st T20I?

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are making their return to the T20I after a long break from the format. The duo last played a T20I back in November 2022 against England in the semi-final match of the ICC T20 World Cup; unfortunately, India lost that match, and since then both players have remained absent from the T20I format. Fans were excited to see them in action. Though Rohit Sharma will play in the first T20I match against India’s neighbor, Virat Kohli will remain absent for the first match, as clarified by India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, who told reporters that due to some personal reasons, Virat Kohli will not play in the first match but will be available for the second and third matches of the series.

Now the big question arises: who will replace Virat Kohli in the playing XI of the first match? If India decides to go with Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener, then Shubman Gill would play in Virat Kohli’s position. If middle-order wicketkeeper batter Jitesh Sharma can play, there is a possibility that Sanju Samson could get the spot based on his last ODI performance. Rinku Singh has handled the middle order pretty well since his selection in India’s team in the absence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya. India is likely to go with all-rounder Axar Patel.

India will take on Afghanistan in the three-match T20I series; the first match will commence at PCAS, Mohali. Rohit Sharma will be leading the team in the series, and this series is going to be the final rehearsal of team India before the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. It will be the test of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to cement their spot in the final squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.