The Indian cricket landscape will witness an immense change as the capable in big matches winning players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to the T20I series for the upcoming series against Afghanistan, starting January 11th. The charismatic Rohit Sharma also assumes the mantle of skipper, marking a new chapter in Indian T20 cricket. After a long time return in T20 of both players is made possible by injuries sustained by top batsman Suryakumar Yadav and regular captain Hardik Pandya. Get ready for Sharma’s batting, fierce bowling, and thrilling contest as we delve into the details of this exciting series. Get ready for Sharma’s batting and Shami attacking bowling make a thrilling contest as we delve into the details of this exciting series.
Since the 2022 T20 World Cup, Hardik has captained India in T20Is for the most part. However, during the 2023 ODI World Cup, Hardik injured his ankle, therefore Suryakumar filled in as captain. In addition to captaining India during the three Twenty20 Internationals in South Africa in December and the five-match T20I series against Australia at home, Suryakumar was sidelined for several months due to an ankle injury he sustained there. It is anticipated that Suryakumar and Hardik will both be back for the IPL in March.
About the Matches: The Match Will Be Played In Three Cities
The three-game series promises exciting games at stunning Indian locations. The first match will take place on January 11, 2024 at the storied PCA Stadium in Mohali, and on January 14, there will a match at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. On January 17, there will be a spectacular finale to the series at Rajkot Municipal Corporation Stadium. Anticipate thrilling environments where fervent supporters applaud their idols beneath the lights.
Dates, Time and Venues of IND vs AFG T20 series:
Match 1: PCA Stadium, Mohali, January 11th, 7:00 PM IST.
Match 2: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, January 14th, 7:00 PM IST.
Match 3: Rajkot Municipal Corporation Stadium, Rajkot, January 17th, 7:00 PM IST.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Both Teams:
India: Virat Kohli has announced to play this series. So the return of Kohli gives strength to the Indian batting lineup, while Sharma’s leadership brings experience and stability in opening. The spin attack, spearheaded by Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, remains a potent force. However, the absence of Bumrah and Siraj exposes the pace attack’s vulnerability.
Afghanistan: Afghanistan team will lead by the seasoned Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan boasts explosive batsmen like Hazratullah Zazai and Karim Janat. Their spin duo of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman can torment any batting order. However, their relatively inexperienced pace attack and inconsistent middle order could be tested.
Head-to-Head of IND vs AFG: A One-Sided Battle?
India, the T20 World Cup champions, enjoy a dominant head-to-head record against Afghanistan, winning all 2 encounters in T20I. However, the upcoming series presents a fresh challenge with the return of experienced players for both sides. Expect a more competitive and unpredictable battle on the field.
Where to Watch: Catch the Action Live
The matches will be broadcasted live on Star Sports channels in India and various regional languages. For those wishing to catch the action online, Hotstar and JioTV offer live streaming options. Don’t miss out on a single moment of this exciting series.
Squads & Probable XIs of IND vs AFG T20 series:
Indian T20I team for the Afghanistan series
Rohit Sharma (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar
Afghanistan’s T20I team for the India series
Ibrahim Zadran (capt), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmaullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Mohammad Saleem, Fareed Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Qais Ahmad and Rashid Khan.
Match Predictions: Who Will Triumph?
While India are undoubtedly the favorites, Afghanistan’s potential for upsets cannot be underestimated. Kohli’s form and Sharma’s captaincy will be crucial factors for India, while Afghanistan will rely on their spin wizardry and explosive batting to cause disruptions. Stay tuned for our detailed match predictions after analyzing team compositions and form.
Disclaimer: This post is created based on available information and predictions at the time of writing. Final squads, playing XIs, and match outcomes may vary.
