The cricketing world is abuzz with excitement as India, fresh from a resounding victory over Australia, prepares to face Afghanistan in the ninth ODI of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Scheduled to take place at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on the 11th of October at 2 PM, this clash promises to be a riveting encounter.
India’s Strong Start
India kicked off their World Cup 2023 campaign in style by defeating the five-time champions, Australia. Their spinners orchestrated a stunning collapse of the Australian middle order, restricting them to a modest 199 runs. Opting to bench Mohammad Shami turned out to be a masterstroke, as Ravindra Jadeja and company snatched six crucial wickets. Although India faced a scare after losing both openers for ducks, Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97*) showcased their brilliance, guiding India to a convincing six-wicket victory.
IND vs AFG Glimpse of History
The last time India and Afghanistan faced each other in an ODI was during the ICC World Cup 2019. In a thrilling contest, Afghanistan came close to ending India’s unbeaten run by restricting them to 224 runs in 50 overs. With 12 runs needed from the last five balls, Mohammad Shami delivered a hat-trick performance, securing an 11-run victory for India. This historic match saw Shami becoming the 10th bowler to achieve a hat-trick in the ICC World Cup.
IND vs AFG Teams Preview
India Preview
India has made a bold move by keeping Shami on the sidelines, perhaps indicating their strategy of relying on spinners in this tournament. Ravindra Jadeja, who impressed with three wickets against Australia, will be a key bowler to watch. He has a track record of seven wickets against Afghanistan in two games. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack.
The inclusion of Ishan Kishan over the injured Shubman Gill is another notable decision. Gill, with five ODI centuries and numerous half-centuries this year, has been a consistent performer and can provide a significant boost to India’s batting lineup. Virat Kohli’s impressive form, along with KL Rahul’s recent exploits, makes them crucial players to watch out for.KL Rahul is in splendid form, averaging 117 in his last four games. Against Afghanistan, he is unlikely to be troubled. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will be the all-rounders, with Pandya posing a threat to the Afghan bowling unit.
Key Players: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli
India Predicted Playing XI:
• Rohit Sharma (c)
• Ishan Kishan
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer
• KL Rahul (wk)
• Hardik Pandya
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Ravichandran Ashwin
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Mohammed Siraj
Afghanistan Preview
Afghanistan’s struggles in the World Cup have been primarily attributed to their vulnerability against spinners. The lack of depth in their bowling department and Rashid Khan’s poor form have posed challenges for the team. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will open the innings, having posted 47 runs for the first wicket in their opening game.
Gurbaz has been impressive with 423 runs in 12 games at an average of 35.25. Zadran, Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer this year, boasts an average above 45.The team’s batting depth has been a persistent issue, with skipper Hasmatullah Shahidi struggling to make an impact against India, averaging just 10.5 in two games. Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran also have subpar averages against India.
However, Shah has shown promise in recent ODIs and could play the role of an anchor. Mohammad Nabi, the leading run-scorer against India, will be a key middle-order batsman. He has also claimed five wickets in games against India.Rashid Khan’s form with the ball will be crucial for Afghanistan. With nine wickets in his last nine ODIs, he needs to find his rhythm. Fazalhaq Farooqi, with 16 wickets in 12 games, will be a bowler to watch. Afghanistan’s bowlers have consistently troubled India in recent encounters, and they will aim to do so again.
Key Players: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
• Ibrahim Zadran
• Najibullah Zadran
• Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)
• Rahmat Shah
• Mohammad Nabi
• Rashid Khan
• Naveen-ul-Haq
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman
• Azmatullah Omarzai
• Fazalhaq Farooqi
IND vs AFG Match, Weather Conditions
The weather forecast for the match day indicates sunny conditions, with temperatures ranging from 23 to 35 degrees Celsius. The wind is expected to blow from the west at a speed of 9-11 km/h. The pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is renowned for its batsman-friendly nature, offering good bounce and carrying well to the boundary. As the match progresses, spinners may come into play, with the pitch showing signs of wear and cracking.
IND vs AFG Match, Venue Details
The Arun Jaitley Stadium, with a seating capacity of 48,000 spectators, will host this high-stakes encounter. Over the years, the venue has witnessed several memorable matches. South Africa’s 428 against Sri Lanka in 2014 stands as the highest total recorded on this ground during the World Cup. However, the same ground has seen teams struggle, with the lowest total being 99.
Toss: To Bat or To Field
In the 29 ODIs played at this venue, teams have achieved similar success while chasing or defending targets, with both sides winning 14 times each. However, in the last six games, teams have successfully defended their targets on five occasions. The average first-innings score in these six games was 291. Hence, winning the toss and opting to bat first could be the favored choice.Don’t miss this epic clash between India and Afghanistan in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. It’s a battle that promises cricketing brilliance and excitement!