A landmark series in the world of cricket is about to unfold as India prepares to host Afghanistan for their first-ever bilateral T20I series, commencing on January 11th at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. This eagerly anticipated match-up is drawing significant attention, particularly with the return of cricketing stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the Indian T20I squad.
The choice of Mohali as a venue is not arbitrary; the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opted to award matches to locations that were deprived of hosting any during the World Cup. The PCA Stadium has seen the Indian team in action in four T20I games, with an impressive track record of three wins to a sole loss. India’s last outing at this venue was against Australia in 2022, which ended in a rare defeat despite a fiery 71 off 30 balls from Hardik Pandya. India, minus the injured Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav – himself a high scorer in the previous game against Australia – is thus approaching the series with some key changes to the lineup.
Historically, the Mohali stadium has been fortuitous for India, where the team has clinched victory in 22 out of the 35 international matches played since 1993. This includes a commendable record in Test matches, boasting only one loss from 14 encounters alongside 8 wins and 5 draws. One-day internationals (ODIs) in Mohali are equally auspicious for the team, with India having won 11 out of 17 matches, a streak highlighted by the seminal World Cup 2011 semifinal win over Pakistan.
India’s T20I Record in Mohali:
Played – 4; Won – 3; Lost – 1
India’s Record in International Cricket in Mohali:
Played – 35; Won – 22; Lost – 8; Draw – 5
The composition of the Indian team for the upcoming series displays a blend of experienced players and new talent, with Rohit Sharma leading the squad. Promising young talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal bring fresh energy to the team. The inclusion of players like Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh also adds depth to the batting lineup, while the bowling attack will be bolstered by the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and seasoned spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
Afghanistan’s team brings its own set of formidable players, with the captain Ibrahim Zadran at the helm. The explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz behind the stumps, the consistent Rahmat Shah, and the dynamic all-rounder Mohammad Nabi are all integral parts of the team. The spin department, led by the charismatic Rashid Khan, could pose a serious challenge to India’s batting lineup.
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan.
Despite India’s rank as the favorite, the T20 format is notorious for its unpredictability. Afghanistan’s recent performances, including World Cup victories over formidable opponents such as Pakistan and England, underscore the fact that the Afghans can spring a surprise. With an ability to contend for top honors, as evidenced by their contention for the semi-finals in the last World Cup, Afghanistan is certain to bring their best game to Indian soil.
With both teams aiming for a strong start in this groundbreaking series, cricket fans around the world will be watching closely to see if India can maintain their dominant record in Mohali or if Afghanistan will mark their first bilateral T20I endeavor with a stunning upset.
