Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in India's T20 squad ahead of World Cup

Both Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have not participated in T20 Internationals since India's loss to England in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Australia in November 2022.

Although they have been active in other formats, there has been speculation about their participation in the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June.

Reports suggest that both players were excluded from the series against Afghanistan due to injuries, while KL Rahul, the wicketkeeper-batter, was also left out without any explanation from the Indian cricket board.

In addition, pace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been rested to ensure their freshness for the upcoming five-test home series against England.

The series against Afghanistan will commence on January 11 in Mohali, followed by matches in Indore and Bengaluru.

The Indian T20 squad includes Rohit Sharma as the captain, along with players like Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav, among others.