Rashid Khan Ruled Out Of T20I Series Against India, Confirms Skipper Ibrahim Zadran

10.01.2024 - 09:16 sports.ndtv.com

The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the T20 format after 14 months will be keenly observed when India face a dangerous Afghanistan in the first ever white-ball series between the two teams, beginning here on Thursday.

The three-match contest will be India's last before the T20 World Cup in June, giving the team more clarity on where it stands ahead of the ICC event in Americas.

However, the final 15 will be picked on the core group's performance in the IPL, which precedes the World Cup. Rohit and Kohli, now that they are back in the T20 setup, are a certainty in that squad but the accomplished duo would first like to get the most out of the games against Afghanistan, who would be without their star spinner Rashid Khan.

Khan underwent a back surgery in November last year and is still recuperating. "He is not totally fit. We will miss him in the series.

cricket India Cricket Team Ibrahim Zadran Rashid Khan South Africa India Afghanistan

Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz on Friday revealed that he has been taking batting tips from India's batting talisman Virat Kohli and World Cup-winning captain MS Dhoni on how to improve his performance. In the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, Gurbaz notched up 87 runs in 3 innings. In the last T20I, he smashed a half-century in 32 balls and stitched up a 93-run stand with Ibrahim Zadran giving his team a chance to fight back against India.

"Virat Kohli Has Got A Big Ego": England Star's Huge Remark Ahead Of Test Series vs India

The India vs England five-match Test series is set to kick off on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. While England eye to repeat their 2012 heroics wherein they beat India 2-1 in a four-match series on latter's soil, the Rohit Sharma and Co. will aim to continue their 10-year-old unbeaten streak against the Three Lions in Test series at home. As always India's veteran batter Virat Kohli will be in the spotlight among other star players. Ahead of the series, England pacer Ollie Robinson opened up on his on-ground battles with Kohli and added that the India player has got a "big ego".

Ravichandran Ashwin's Post For Afghanistan Star Storms Entire IPL Universe

Afghanistan's hopes of salvaging their pride were dashed on Wednesday following a crushing loss in the third and final T20I against India in Bengaluru. Having already conceded the series, the visitors tested India to the limit by forcing not one, but two Super Overs under the light. After scores were level twice at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Afghanistan needed 12 runs in the second Super Over. However, the visitors lost two wickets in as many balls as India sneaked in a famous win.

India vs Afghanistan 3rd T20I: "As Long As..." - Rahul Dravid's Verdict On 'Controversial Run' During Super Over

Playing down the on-field controversy around a moment during the first super over of the pulsating third T20I against Afghanistan at the Chinnaswamy in Bengaluru on Wednesday, India head coach Rahul Dravid called it a "part of the game". India skipper Rohit Sharma was seen remonstrating with an on-field umpire after Afghan all-rounder Mohammed Nabi ran byes off a deflected throw during the first super over of the T20I on Wednesday. That moment was one of many that made the nail-biting contest one for the ages. The hosts, however, survived a mighty scare from the visitors to seal the contest in the second super over and ensure a series sweep. Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz ran byes after Sanju Samson's throw struck the former and deflected off him to the outfield.

"Wanted Someone Like That At...": Rohit Sharma Drops Big Rinku Singh T20 World Cup Selection Hint

Following India's win over Afghanistan in the third T20I following two Super Overs, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma lauded middle-order batter Rinku Singh, saying that he is "coming off age" and knows his strengths well. Rohit's record-breaking fifth T20I century and half-centuries by Afghanistan top order batters Rahmanullah Gurbaz, skipper Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib could not separate both sides as Men in Blue beat a spirited Afghan side in the second over at Bengaluru.

India vs Afghanistan: Virat Kohli Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar In Unwanted List With 1st Golden Duck In T20Is

Virat Kohli was dismissed for a golden duck for the first time ever in T20I cricket during the third match of the ongoing series against Afghanistan in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The star Indian cricket team batter needed just 6 runs to complete a historic 12,000 runs in T20 cricket but he ended up getting dismissed on the very first ball that he faced. Kohli wanted to play an elevated shot off the bowling of Fareed Ahmad but ended up miscuing it completely. It was an easy catch for Ibrahim Zadran at mid-off and the Afghanistan skipper made no mistake leaving the Bengaluru crowd disappointed. This was his 35th duck in international cricket - the most by any India specialist batter who batted in the Top 7.