In a nail-biting encounter, Rohit Sharma led India to a thrilling victory against Afghanistan, securing a clean sweep in the T20I series. The final match witnessed unprecedented drama with not one but two Super Overs. After Rohit Sharma's remarkable 121-run innings and Rinku Singh's explosive 69*, both teams ended up tied at 212. The subsequent Super Over also concluded in a draw, leading to another Super Over, where India emerged victorious. Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib's heroic 55 kept the contest alive. Despite the intense battle, India's depth prevailed, securing a memorable win and a 3-0 series sweep.

Virat Kohli's quest for 12,000 T20 runs hit a roadblock as he suffered his inaugural golden duck against Afghanistan in the third T20I. The highly anticipated moment turned somber as Ibrahim Zadran dismissed Kohli early in the second over at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. Kohli's unexpected duck marked his 35th in international cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's previous record of 34. Despite the stumble, Kohli's name now stands in history with this unwanted milestone. The Men In Blue faced an unanticipated challenge on home turf, leaving fans and the cricket fraternity surprised by the rare failure of the usually prolific batter.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma bounces back with a stunning century, scoring an unbeaten 121 runs off 69 balls in the final T20I against Afghanistan. Despite a challenging start with four wickets falling early, Rohit's resilience and partnership with Rinku Singh (69*) steered India to a commanding position. Rohit's whirlwind century marks his fifth in T20Is, surpassing teammates Suryakumar Yadav and Australia's Glenn Maxwell. The innings also sets records for the most sixes by a T20I captain (87) and highest runs by an Indian T20I captain (1647), overtaking Virat Kohli. Rohit's historic performance solidifies India's series win.

Star bowler Mohammed Shami, sidelined with injury, aims for a comeback in the T20 World Cup. Despite missing early games, Shami topped wickets in the 2023 ODI World Cup with 24 dismissals. Focused on ODIs in 2023, he now eyes the T20 format. His stellar IPL 2023 performance, claiming the Purple Cap with 28 wickets for Gujarat Titans, reinforces his T20 prowess. Shami emphasizes IPL as pivotal for World Cup selection, saying, "There's still a lot of time... If I'm performing well, I should be selected. Who will say no to the World Cup?" With proven consistency and skill, Shami remains a key asset for national and franchise teams.

Former Indian captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, reflecting on cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, expressed admiration for Sachin's greatness, Virat's aggressiveness, and Dhoni's calmness. Ganguly, known for his aggressive batting, highlighted these qualities on a reality show. When asked about a unique quality he possesses, he responded with "adjustment," earning applause from the audience. Ganguly recently endorsed Rohit Sharma for the T20I World Cup captaincy, advocating for Virat Kohli's inclusion in the squad. His impactful tenure as BCCI president concluded in October 2022, succeeded by Roger Binny.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's explosive 68 and Shivam Dube's powerful 63* secure India's unassailable 2-0 series lead against Afghanistan. Despite Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's early dismissals, the young duo showcased their T20 World Cup potential. Jaiswal's fearless batting, clearing boundaries against pacers and spinners, solidifies his claim for a World Cup opening slot. Dube's aggressive innings, featuring three consecutive sixes, adds to India's batting depth. Afghanistan posted 172, with Gulbadin Naib's brisk 57. Axar Patel's crucial breakthroughs limited Afghanistan, ensuring India's successful chase and setting an optimistic tone for future T20 engagements.

The BCCI has unveiled the 16-man squad for India's first two Tests against England, starting January 25. In a surprising move, 22-year-old Dhruv Jurel earns his maiden call-up as a backup wicketkeeper, stepping in for the rested Ishan Kishan. Notably, veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna are absent due to injury concerns. Avesh Khan retains his place alongside a formidable pace attack. The spin combination comprises Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. India, led by Rohit Sharma, is set for their third assignment in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. [photo courtesy: BCCI/X]

Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan faces uncertainty in his T20 World Cup aspirations as Virat Kohli commits, and Coach Rahul Dravid emphasizes domestic cricket. Kishan, despite consistent performance, draws scrutiny for his break due to mental fatigue during the South Africa series. A former BCCI official notes, "In Indian cricket, if you leave your seat at your own will, you might not get it back." Kishan's return now relies on future top-three opportunities, prompting reflection on the delicate balance between personal needs and professional commitments in cricket. The saga raises questions about the challenges emerging as the T20 World Cup approaches.

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli will miss the first T20 international against Afghanistan due to "personal reasons," confirmed coach Rahul Dravid. Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma are returning to the T20 squad after over a year's absence, aligning with preparations for the T20 World Cup in June. Dravid emphasized IPL performance as crucial for squad selection. The series opener in Mohali on Thursday precedes matches in Indore and Bengaluru. Dravid mentioned the flexibility to shuffle openers but expressed satisfaction with Yashasvi Jaiswal's left-right combination. Rinku Singh's role as a finisher also gains prominence in the upcoming series.            

India's T20I squad for the Afghanistan series excludes Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, with reports citing disciplinary concerns. Ishan's participation in social events after withdrawing from Tests irked selectors, potentially impacting his T20 World Cup chances. Meanwhile, Shreyas' shot selection and reluctance to play Ranji Trophy led to his exclusion, though he later joined the Mumbai squad. The selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, emphasize discipline and commitment, praising Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill's dedication. The move underscores the strict stance on players not prioritizing Test and first-class cricket.