IND vs AFG 1st T20I Live Score: India is all set to kickstart their new year with three three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Winning two T20I series back-to-back against Australia & South Africa is not a small thing. And a young Indian clan has managed to do that in just one month. Adding experience to the lineup is the return of Rohit & Virat into the format.
Facing India is flamboyant Afghanistan who has displayed impressive performance during the World Cup with a 2-1 T20I series win over UAE. Afghanistan is leading in this format & can beat any team on a given day. With just six more months before the T20 World Cup, both teams will try to find the right Playing XI combination & finalize their team for the marquee event. This series will act as an eye-opener for both the teams.
IND vs AFG TEAMS PREVIEW
India Preview
Team India faces a bit of a challenge with key players like Surya Kumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Ruturaj Gaikwad sitting out due to injuries. But fear not, as the Indian squad, curated by the management and selection committee, is nothing short of impressive.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli make their return to the squad, adding experience and firepower. However, Kohli will be missing from the first T20I due to personal reasons. Sanju Samson is back in the mix, but the spotlight might shine on Jitesh Sharma, who has shown promise when given the chance. The all-rounders’ brigade, featuring Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel, gives the team versatility.
The spin duo of Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav seems ready to spin a web around the Afghan batsmen. On the fast-bowling front, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar are poised to make early inroads with swing and seam movement. With all bases covered, India looks solid and determined to claim another T20I series win on home soil.
India Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar.
Afghanistan Preview:
Fresh off an impressive display in the ODI World Cup, Afghanistan returns to India with a young and talented T20I squad. Captain Ibrahim Zadran, though fairly young and finding his feet, leads a team ready to take on the challenge of facing a formidable Indian side in their home conditions.
The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai looks solid. Ibrahim Zadran is there to steady the ship if needed. The middle order, with players like Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Karim Janat, needs to step up for consistent contributions.
Afghanistan’s bowling, a traditional strength, boasts effective options like Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq, and the returning Mujeeb ur Rahman. All-rounders Karim Janat and Azmatullah Omarzai provide handy medium-pace options, complemented by spin options in Qais Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi.
Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran (capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad/Qais Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq.
IND vs AFG Pitch and Weather Conditions:
The Mohali pitch offers a fair contest between bat and ball. Early on, pace bowlers can exploit pace and bounce, while batsmen can score with the right intent. However, chilly and foggy conditions on game day, with temperatures ranging between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius, might pose a challenge for bowlers gripping the wet ball.
Venue Details: The Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, while witnessing India winning 3 out of 4 T20Is, serves as a reminder of their lone defeat against Australia in September 2022. Teams batting second have had the upper hand here, with Australia’s memorable chase of 211 against India.
Toss Prediction: Toss could be crucial, with teams batting second winning four times, including Australia’s giant chase. If Team India wins the toss, they might choose to put Afghanistan in to bat first.
IND vs AFG Winning Prediction:
While Afghanistan, riding high on their World Cup performance, will surely fancy their chances, the home advantage and the formidable Indian team make them the favorites. Our prediction leans towards India, expecting them to secure a victory in this much-anticipated clash.
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