The stage is set for an electrifying cricket showdown as India prepares to face off against Afghanistan in a much-anticipated T20 International series. This series is critical for the Indian team as it is their final T20I encounter before they embark on their campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The opening salvo of the series will commence on January 11, with the inaugural match taking place at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
This series is particularly notable for marking the return of cricketing stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the T20I fold after an absence of over a year. Fans last saw the duo in action during the thrilling ICC Men’s T20 World Cup second semifinal against England at the Adelaide Oval, and since then, the Indian team has had to navigate the T20I waters without their presence.
With Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav currently out of the picture due to fitness issues, Rohit Sharma is set to retake the helm as the team’s captain. The selection process for India’s squad was rife with surprises, with the notable exclusion of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer from the 15-member team, while Ishan Kishan voluntarily opted out.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, is coming into the series on the back of a successful 2-1 victory in their recent series against UAE and is expected to bring that dynamic winning energy to the Indian subcontinent. Ibrahim Zadran will lead the Afghan team as the interim skipper. Though Rashid Khan’s name has been included in the squad list, his participation is in doubt due to his ongoing recovery from a back surgery procedure.
The burning question on most cricket enthusiasts’ minds is where they can catch live action of this enthralling series on television, and the answer lies with the Sports18 TV channel, which will telecast the India vs Afghanistan T20I series live. Adding to the accessibility for fans, the series will also be streamed online, with live coverage available through JioCinema.
The excitement is also palpable among those eager to witness the on-ground action at the Mohali stadium. As fans scramble to secure their spots on the stands, they are equally intrigued by the prospect of witnessing cricketing powerhouse Virat Kohli on the verge of securing three major career milestones in T20 cricket as the series unfolds.
The composition of both teams reveals a blend of experience and burgeoning talent. India’s squad features Rohit Sharma as the captain, supported by the likes of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh. The wicket-keeping responsibilities will be shared between Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson, while the all-rounder and bowling lineup consists of Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar.
Afghanistan’s lineup showcases Ibrahim Zadran as captain, along with other key players such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, and Najibullah Zadran. The squad is completed with Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmaullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib alongside Rashid Khan.
As both teams gear up for this exhilarating series, the cricketing world is set to witness a clash of titans on the field, and the stakes couldn’t be higher as both sides seek to establish dominance and fine-tune their strategies in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup. The anticipation and excitement among fans are palpable, promising a series filled with memorable moments and edge-of-the-seat action.
