IND vs AFG 3rd T20I: India will lock horns with Afghanistan in the third & final T20I of the three-match T20I series at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The pitch which is known as a high-scoring venue will be difficult for Afghans to restrict Indians from scoring big. In their last clash, the Afghans failed to put the opposition under pressure & now on Bemgaluru’s batter-friendly pitch, it will be more difficult for visitors to restrict hosts from scoring.
Virat made a powerback comeback in T20I format with an improved strike rate. He will aim to continue his good performance in today’s clash. Another player to watch out for is Shivam Dube who has scored back-to-back fifties. Afghanistan too has depth in the lineup with the presence of Najibullah and Karim Janat at 6 and 7 followed by Mujeeb Ur Rahman who showed his batting abilities in the last game. But it’s the bowlers who need to pull up their socks & deliver powerpack performances to restrict Indians from scoring on this batters-friendly pitch of Chinnaswamy.
IND vs AFG 3rd T20I TEAMS PREVIEW
India Preview
India Preview: Rohit’s Redemption and Young Guns in Form The Indian team, captained by Rohit Sharma, has seen a mix of fortunes at the top of the order. Rohit, usually a prolific batsman, faced an unusual dip in form with two consecutive ducks. However, a combination of unfortunate circumstances, including bad calling and a bowled dismissal, has left Rohit eager for redemption. In the absence of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped up in the second T20I, delivering an impressive performance with 68 runs off 34 balls. With an attacking display featuring five fours and six sixes, Jaiswal emerged as a promising top-order option.
The middle order, led by Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh, is expected to play pivotal finishing roles. Axar Patel, a consistent performer with both bat and ball, has picked up four wickets with an economy of 5 r.p.o. Shivam Dube has provided balance to the squad, contributing effectively. In the pace department, India has relied on Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar, finding success primarily in the death overs. The strategy, complemented by Axar’s contributions in the middle overs, has proven effective for India.
Afghanistan Preview:
Battling the Odds Despite an improved batting performance in the second match, Afghanistan faced a formidable Indian batting lineup. Virat Kohli, relishing the challenge against Afghanistan’s bowlers, played a quick innings, putting the visitors on the backfoot. The primary challenge for Afghanistan is to devise a strategy to dismiss Kohli early in the innings. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen ul Haq, key bowlers for Afghanistan, need to secure early wickets in the powerplay to keep India in check.
The spinners, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmed struggled to contain runs in the last match, emphasizing the need for improvement from Mujeeb Ur Rahman. A positive note for Afghanistan was Gulbadin Naib’s impactful innings, scoring 57 off 35 balls. An experienced bowling all-rounder, Naib adds depth to the lineup. The team possesses quality batters capable of posting a competitive total against India at the Bengaluru ground.
Predicted Playing XIs
India
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is known for high-scoring encounters, with smaller boundaries that often witness a flurry of sixes. The pitch provides an ideal platform for batsmen, ensuring good bounce and pace. The weather forecast for the match day suggests mostly cloudy conditions with a high of 28 degrees Celsius, setting the stage for an exciting encounter between bat and ball.
Toss: To Bowl Considering the history of T20Is at this venue, teams have traditionally preferred chasing. With India’s successful run chases in the series and the return of Kohli, they are likely to opt for bowling first. Afghanistan, eager for a change after struggling to post a good score, may also choose to bowl first.
Winning Prediction:
India to Clinch Victory Despite Rohit Sharma’s recent dismissals, India’s younger players have displayed exceptional performances, securing two successful run-chases. With the return of regular players and their exceptional form, the hosts are clear favorites against Afghanistan. Our prediction leans towards India clinching victory in the final T20I of the series.
Also read, With the group stage of BBL 13 coming to an end with this fixture both Sydney Thunder & Melbourne Renegades will aim to put on a show that will mark the end of poor campaign
Also read, ST vs MR Live Score, BBL 13 Match 40 Prediction & Preview
