IND Vs AFG: The three-match T20 International series between India and Afghanistan will be the last series before the main event in West Indies and United States of America, which will start from 1st June 2024. India’s first game in that tournament will be against Ireland.
That is why, this series of the shortest format is very important for both the sides. In this last series, India doesn’t have two of their best players of the T20I format.
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have been ruled out because of their injuries. However, two of their star players return to the shortest format side after a long gap.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be making a comeback as the Men In Blue gear up for this three-match series of the shortest format against Afghanistan.
India will not make the mistake of taking the Afghans lightly even when the Blues are playing in their own backyard.
The King and HITMAN will make a return to India’s T20I squad after the semi-final loss against England, the current T20 World Cup Champions.
India had lost that must-win match by 10 wickets at the Adelaide Oval. Rohit will also lead the side in this series in the absence of Hardik and SKY.
All the eyes will be on Sharma ji and Kohli in this series. These two stalwart batsmen will be the players to watch out for from the Men in Blue.
Sanju Samson is another name who will also be watched quite closely. India also has Jitesh Sharma in their squad.
But Sanju Samson has got an opportunity once again in the shortest format. The skipper of the Rajasthan Royals side has got a chance in place of Ishan Kishan.
That is because Samson can bat in the middle order as well. It would be interesting to see how Sanju performs in this three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan.
In the bowling department, there is no Bumrah, Siraj or Shami. So the likes of Arshdeep, Mukesh and Avesh will have to deliver as their spot in the T20 World Cup 2024 is at stake.
Axar, Bishnoi and Kuldeep might be the three spin bowlers for India in the opening match tomorrow.
Talking about the Afghanistan side, they also have a good lineup and most of their players have been playing in the Indian Premier League tournament as well.
They have the experience of playing in the Indian conditions and that’s what makes their side which can compete.
However, the visitors are still not sure about their spin magician bowler Rashid Khan. His name is in the squad. But due to his back injury, he might skip the whole series and if that happens then it would be a huge blow for them. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nabi will be the key bowlers for them in Rashid’s absence.
Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Najibullah Zadran will be the batters to watch out for from the team of Afghanistan. The visitors have not won a single game of the shortest format against India so far.
Now it is the time for the Afghans to create history against the number 1 T20 International side in the world.
Day – Thursday
Date - 11th January 2024
Venue - Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali
Toss Timings – 6.30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) and Local, 1 PM GMT
Match Timings – 7 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) and Local, 1.30 PM GMT
Television Channels - Sports Network 18 For English Commentary and Colors Cineplex For Hindi Commentary
Live Streaming - JioCinema Mobile Application
India - Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson(wk), Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar.
Afghanistan - Ibrahim Zadran(c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Batters – Ibrahim Zadran, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh
Bowlers – Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Arshdeep Singh
All-rounders – Axar Patel and Mohammad Nabi
Wicket-keeper – Sanju Samson
Vice-captain – Rahmat Shah
Captain – Rohit Sharma
