IND vs AFG Live Score: India will begin its hunt for the Gold Medal against Afghanistan in the final clash of the Asian Games 2023 Men’s T20I. Indians are breathing fire as they defeated Bangladesh in the semifinals. On the other hand, Afghans too are marching into this clash on the back of a win over Pakistan in the semifinals. Afghanistan will try to capitalize on their semifinal win & grab their first gold medal of the Asian Games 2023. On the other hand, India which is featuring new faces & fresh energy will aim to script history by winning the marquee event & adding one more gold medal to their tally.
Coming to team composition, Afghanistan has a settled unit with many players being a part of different T20 leagues. But still, they have a poor record against India as they struggled with both bat & ball in the two games they played against Men in Blue. Indians have a strong batting order & top order in a good form. It will be worth seeing if they can grab victory from the jaws of defeat in this epic fixture.
IND vs AFG Teams Preview
India Preview
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side has been nothing short of exceptional in this tournament. They entered the competition as favorites, and they’ve certainly lived up to that billing. In the semifinal against Afghanistan, India delivered a comprehensive performance, securing a resounding victory with nine wickets in hand and less than 10 overs to spare. Gaikwad, the skipper, will be hoping that his players maintain the same level of intensity and determination as they seek to add another gold medal to India’s tally in the Asian Games.
One of the key strengths for India in this tournament has been their opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Both players are in outstanding form and will be looking to provide a solid foundation at the top of the order. Tilak Varma, who scored a crucial 55 in the last game, adds further depth to the middle order, alongside the experienced Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma. The lower middle order boasts quality hitters, with the likes of Rinku Singh, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, and Washington Sundar, all capable of making significant contributions with the bat.
India’s bowling attack, too, has been firing on all cylinders. Arshdeep Singh was particularly impressive in the last game, and he will aim to strike early alongside Shivam Dube with the new ball. Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore and Washington Sundar will have crucial roles to play in the middle overs. The presence of Ravi Bishnoi and Shahbaz Ahmed adds depth and variety to India’s bowling arsenal, making them a formidable force.
Afghanistan Preview
Gulbadin Naib’s Afghanistan side, on the other hand, showcased their mettle in a hard-fought victory over Pakistan, securing a win by four wickets. Their performance in that game was characterized by dominance with the ball and a composed chase despite losing wickets in quick succession. However, facing the confident Indian team in the final presents an entirely different challenge, and Naib will be expecting nothing less than a stellar performance from his players.
One area of concern for Afghanistan has been their opening pair, Sediqullah Atal and Mohammad Shahzad, who have yet to find their form in the tournament. To mount a strong challenge against India, they will need to step up and provide a solid start. Noor Ali Zadran, who has been consistent, will play a crucial role in anchoring the middle order alongside Shahidullah Kamal and Afsar Zazai. The experience of players like Naib and Karim Janat will be invaluable in building partnerships and setting competitive targets.
Afghanistan’s bowling attack possesses several match-winners. Gulbadin Naib and Sharafuddin Ashraf will be entrusted with the task of striking early blows with the new ball. Qais Ahmad and Karim Janat, both seasoned bowlers, have the experience to challenge even the best batsmen in the world. The supporting role will be handled by Fareed Ahmad Malik and Zahir Khan, who will look to complement the efforts of their fellow bowlers.
IND vs AFG: Pitch and Weather Conditions
The final will be played at Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field, Hangzhou, which is known for its smaller boundaries around the square. Batsmen have found it relatively easy to play their shots on this surface. However, there is assistance for fast bowlers in the early stages of the game. The pitch tends to be firm, offering good bounce and carry to the wicketkeeper. Bowlers who can extract movement off the seam have found success here, particularly during the initial hours of the match. As the game progresses, the pitch typically becomes flatter and more batting-friendly.
Weather conditions in Hangzhou on October 7 are expected to be sunny, with temperatures ranging from 16 to 28 degrees Celsius. The wind will be blowing from the north at 1.13 to 3.63 km/h. There might be slight cloud cover, which could provide some assistance to fast bowlers early in the game. However, overall, the conditions appear favorable for batting, and the side batting first will be aiming for a total of around 180 runs to feel safe on this ground.
Toss: To Bowl
Given the smaller boundaries and the history of this venue favoring chasing teams, the side winning the toss is likely to opt to bowl first. The ability to chase down a total on this ground has proven to be advantageous, and both teams would prefer to play it safe in this high-pressure contest.
IND vs AFG Winning Prediction
While Afghanistan has displayed resilience and determination, especially in their victory over Pakistan, they face a stern test against the experienced Indian side. Afghanistan’s struggles with the bat have been evident in this tournament, and they will need a strong batting performance to stand a chance against the Indians.
On the other hand, India has ticked all the boxes and boasts a strong batting lineup, making them the favorites. The outcome of the match may hinge on the performance of Afghanistan’s star spinner, Rashid Khan, who will need to find his form to challenge India’s batsmen effectively.
In conclusion, all eyes will be on the Asian Games 2023 cricket final, and while Afghanistan has the potential to spring a surprise, India’s consistent form and depth make them the more likely victors.
Prediction: India to win
Also read, BAN vs AFG, ODI World Cup 2023 Match 3 Live Score
