Kohli to miss T20 opener against Afghanistan

Star India batter Virat Kohli will be unavailable for the first of three Twenty20 internationals (T20Is) against Afghanistan due to "personal reasons," as confirmed by coach Rahul Dravid on Wednesday.

Both Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma made a comeback to the T20 squad after being absent for more than a year.

Their return coincides with the series against Afghanistan, which commences on Thursday in Mohali.

This move is seen as part of the team's preparation for the T20 World Cup scheduled for June.

“Virat Kohli will miss the first game due to personal reasons,” Dravid said at a press conference.
“He will be playing in the second and third T20I.”

Kohli and Rohit were last seen in action in November 2022, during the T20 World Cup in Australia. Unfortunately, India faced a defeat against England in the semi-finals of that tournament.

The second T20I will be played in Indore on Sunday with the final match in Bengaluru on January 17.