In contrast to earlier reports that the planned India vs Afghanistan series would be canceled due to a busy schedule, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now considering fielding a backup team for the series. This action is being taken prior to the West Indies tour to give senior players, particularly ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, much-needed rest. That second-string Indian team will most likely be led by Hardik Pandya.
After a nearly two-month-long Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) season, all Indian players will compete in the upcoming World Test Championship Final (WTC Final 2023) in England.
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Senior players such as Kohli and Rohit will require adequate rest before embarking on the difficult trip to the West Indies, where all three formats of the game will be played, as the WTC final has already demanded their undivided attention.