The ICC World Cup 2023 is gaining momentum as India and Afghanistan lock horns in their second league match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. After contrasting results in their opening matches, both teams will be eager to make a statement in this highly anticipated clash.
India kicked off their World Cup campaign on a winning note, defeating Australia by 6 wickets in a thrilling encounter. Led by captain Rohit Sharma, India showcased their strength and depth in both batting and bowling. However, they face a unique challenge against Afghanistan, a team known for their spirited performances.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, suffered a setback in their first match, losing to Bangladesh by 6 wickets. This loss has put them under early pressure, and they will be determined to bounce back with a strong performance against India.
Previous Performances:
India: W L W W W W
Afghanistan: L L L L L
In their last five encounters,India won four out of five ODIs. However, in cricket, past records often have little bearing on the outcome of the current match. Afghanistan will look to draw inspiration from their previous encounters and come up with a game plan to challenge the mighty Indian team.
India might make a couple of changes to their playing XI for this match. Considering the Delhi pitch, which is less spin-friendly compared to other venues, they might opt for Shardul Thakur over Ravichandran Ashwin. Additionally, to manage the workload of key pacers, they could rest Jasprit Bumrah and give Mohammad Shami a chance, especially remembering Shami’s impressive performance with a hat-trick against Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup.
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India’s Probable Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer/Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur/R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami/Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Afghanistan will aim to regroup and make a strong comeback after their defeat against Bangladesh. They are expected to field a competitive XI that includes experienced players like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmat Shah.
Afghanistan’s Probable Playing XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Date: October 11, 2023
Pitch Behavior
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi has already witnessed high-scoring matches in the World Cup 2023. With over 750 runs scored in a recent clash between South Africa and Sri Lanka, it is expected to be a batting-friendly pitch. Batsmen from both teams will look to capitalize on the conditions and put up significant scores, making it crucial for the bowlers to find ways to make an impact.
The clash between India and Afghanistan promises to be an exciting encounter. Can Afghanistan bounce back from their initial setback, or will India continue their winning momentum? Cricket fans around the world eagerly await this thrilling showdown at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
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