• Source:JND
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India and Afghanistan are set to face off in a three-match T20I series which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, January 11.

However, the Indian squad for the series hasn't been announced yet by the BCCI as fans wait for a few questions to be answered with the team selection including the future of star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

With one eye on the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, the national selectors have a massive decision to make over Virat and Rohit's role and future in the team.

A few media reports have claimed that Rohit has been prioritised by the selectors to lead the side in the marquee tournament which takes place in June this year.

As of now, there are chances that both the experienced campaigners could find a place for the Afghanistan series but possibly with a rider that form during the IPL will be the main parameter for selection in the T20 World Cup team.

Another round of discussions could take place, and it could be the BCCI bigwigs taking the final call.

Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar was present in South Africa during the second Test to talk to the two veterans, and both have made themselves available.

There were also a few talks over a need for the selectors to include the BCCI's all-powerful secretary Jay Shah in the frame to decide on the possible bold call.

Agarkar has left for India and the selectors are due to meet on Sunday so the squad could be announced anytime in the next few hours.

It is understood that the team's balance could be an issue if both Rohit and Kohli are included in the playing XI.

"If you have Rohit, Shubman Gill, Virat, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik constituting your top five then where is your left-hander? Now, let's assume you drop Kohli and play Gill at No.3 with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening with Rohit. Can Ajit take that bold call," a former national selector was quoted by PTI as saying.

A new chapter emerged in this dilemma when Virat and Rohit weren't part of the T20I side after the T20 World Cup 2022 and Hardik Pandya captained the side for a year in the shortest format.

In Pandya's absence on a few occasions, Suryakumar Yadav was given the captaincy but now with both the players out with injuries, the decision to call over Rohit and Virat was initially just considered as a makeshift move.

India already have a few youngsters in line to replace the veterans but if the selectors include both Rohit and Kohli, the two people who would miss out are Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, the latter being a left-handed keeper-batter and a top-order batting option.

With the inclusion of Virat and Rohit in the team, the Men in Blue will have to perform a bit adjustments in the setup.

"The flexibility will always be an issue but there will always be external factors that need to be countered. Did you see ICC promoting the tourney with Kohli's giant billboard video in New York? MI handle put that aerial advert of Rohit and Shaheen Shah Afridi. So there will be external pressure," PTI quoted a former BCCI office-bearer as saying.

"It will be on Jay how much he can empower Agarkar's committee. As of now, you need to accommodate both or drop both. The sensible thing would be to include both for Afghanistan and not make any promise for World T20 till the IPL performance is monitored," the veteran administrator said.