The first IND vs AFG T20I match will be played on Thursday, January 11 in Mohali. The first match kicks off a three-match series with the next two coming in Indore (January 14) and Bengaluru (January 18).
The BCCI has named a 16-member Indian team for the three-match series against Afghanistan. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back in the Indian T20I team. Rohit will lead the team with Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav ruled out due to injury issues. SKY will undergo surgery on his ankle while Hardik is still rehabilitating from his World Cup hamstring injury.
This is India’s last T20I series before the T20 World Cup to be played in the US and the Caribbean later this year. Selected players, with some rested veterans, have one last chance to make a good impression. Ishan Kishan was one of the younger players rested with Samson and Jitesh Sharma chosen as specialist goalkeepers.
Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar are the three pacers in the team, along with four spin options – Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Jasorit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been rested from this series after the South Africa Test series. Shardul Thakur has been ignored in this series.
Some senior players, including regulars like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, have also been rested. Mohammed Shami is out of the Indian team as of now due to ankle injury issues and might even miss the Test series against England. Ruturaj Gaikwad is another name who missed the Afghanistan T20I series due to a finger injury and is also likely to miss the first part of the England Test series.
Also Read: IND vs AFG: Ishan Kishan’s T20I future in jeopardy as selection committee includes Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson
Afghanistan named an 18-member squad and the players arrived in Mohali on January 7 for the three-match series starting on January 11. Ibrahim Zadran will lead the team as he has been retained as captain after leading the Afghans to a victory in the T20I series against the United Arab Emirates. Regular T20I captain Rashid Khan is part of the team but could miss the series as he has just undergone back surgery.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-Ul-Haq are part of the Afghanistan squad for the IND vs AFG series. The trio were recently charged by the Afghanistan Cricket Board with their NOCs revoked with immediate effect after they were unwilling to sign their national contracts due to personal benefits.
Given the growing demand for Afghan players in the T20 leagues, this is an important step taken by the ACB where “The ACB will consider and decide your participation in events when necessary.” the statement from board officials said.
Recent Venue Records (PCA Stadium, Mohali)
STATISTICS – T20
Total matches 9
Matches won by batting the first 5
Matches won bowling first 4
Average score for 1st Inns 168
Average score for 2nd Inns 152
Highest total recorded 211/4 (19.1 Ov) by IND vs SL
Highest score pursued 211/6 (19.2 Ov) by AUS vs IND
Lowest score defended 114/8 (20 Ov) by WIW vs INDW
Who will score the most runs for Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz / Ibrahim Zadran
Who will take the most grounds for Afghanistan: Mujeeb Ur Rahman / Noor Ahmad
Who will score the most runs for India: Rohit Sharma / Virat Kohli
Who will take the most wickets for India: Arshdeep Singh/Kuldeep Yadav
Today’s IND vs AFG Match Prediction: First T20I, Who will win today’s T20I match? 2024
India are still unbeaten in all formats against Afghanistan and the trend is likely to continue in the IND vs AFG 1st T20I in Mohali on January 11.
Also Read: IND vs ENG: Mohammed Shami ruled out of first two Tests against England, Suryakumar Yadav to undergo surgery – Reports
