India vs Afghanistan, 1st T20, Highlights: Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh drive India to victory, AFG lose by 6 wickets
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India vs Afghanistan, 1st T20, Highlights: Ind vs Afg:
Chasing 159 runs, India lost four wickets, but Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh led the team to beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali in the first T20 International on 11 January. With this win, India lead the tri series by 1-0.
India started their innings with a disappointing moment when skipper Rohit Sharma (0) was run out in the first over by Ibrahim Zadran. Following this, Shubman Gill (23) lost his wicket to Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the 4th over. Tilak Verma (26) gave some momentum, however, lost his wicket to Azmatullah Omarzai in the 9th over.
After this, Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma built a good partnership. But, Sharma (31) lost his wicket to Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the 14th over.
After this, Rinku Singh (16*) came to the crease and there was no turning back. Shivam Dube (60*) scored his second T20 half century and led India to beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets.
For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman took two wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai picked one wicket.
Earlier, Afghanistan settled for 158/5 against India in the first T20 International.
Mohammad Nabi was the top-scorer for the visitors, scoring a brisk 42 off 27 balls to prop up the innings.
Asked to bat first, Afghanistan skipper Ibrahim Zadran (25 off 22 balls) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (23 off 28) added 50 runs in eight overs, but they could not force the pace during their stay.
Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with a 22-ball 29.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel was the most successful bowler for India, with figures of 2/23, while Mukesh Kumar bagged 2/33.
Earlier, India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first against Afghanistan in the first T20 International.
Sanju Samson, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav and Yashashvi Jaiswal, who was finalised as one of the openers along with the captain on the eve of the first game, will miss the match due to injuries. Rohit said at the toss that Yashashvi “didn’t pull off well”.
Fans, however, will miss the services of veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli who was named in the Indian XI for the Afghanistan series but isn’t available for selection in the 1st game owing to ‘personal reasons’. In Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav’s absence, Shubman Gill is expected to take the number 3 spot while coach Rahul Dravid has confirmed that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the batting for India.
Meanwhile, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson are also expected to find a place in the Indian playing XI, settling almost all spots in the top 6 Indian batting lineup.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, have suffered a major blow ahead of the India series with star bowler Rashid Khan being ruled unfit to be part of the T20 series.
Afghan coach Jonathan Trott seems to have taken Rashid’s exclusion in good stride noting that it will be interesting to see who will stand up to take the key player’s place.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Trott said, “Obviously, we are going to miss a player like Rashid, his leadership and the overall package he brings to the side. But it’ll be good to see who is going to stand up and take responsibility and pressure, just a couple of months after the World Cup,”
When and where to watch the match?
Viacom18 has announced that it will present the three-match T20I series live and exclusive on JioCinema, Sports18-1 SD + HD, and Colors Cineplex. JioCinema will present the series in multiple languages like English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson(w), Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi
Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Qais Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Karim Janat, Ikram Alikhil, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Here’s the final scorecard
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Here’s the final scorecard
AFG Batting:
Mohammad Nabi (42)
Azmatullah Omarzai (29)
Ibrahim Zadran (25)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (23)
Najibullah Zadran (19*)
India Bowling:
Mukesh Kumar 2/33(4)
Axar Patel 2/23(4)
Shivam Dube 1/9(2)
India Batting:
Shivam Dube (60*)
Jitesh Sharma (31)
Tilak Varma (26)
Shubman Gill (23)
Rinku Singh (16*)
AFG Bowling:
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/21(4)
Azmatullah Omarzai 1/33(4)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Shivam Dube becomes player of the match
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Shivam Dube (60*) scored his second T20 half century and led India to beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets.
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh drive India to beat AFG by 6 wickets
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Naveen-ul-Haq continues his spell, with Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube are on crease. Dube smashes the WHOPPING SIX on the second delivery using his long levers. With this, 150-up for India. Following this, he hits a boundary on the third delivery and drives India to defeat Afghanistan by 6 wickets, with 15 balls remaining.
Shivam Dube 60
Rinki Singh 16
Naveen-ul-Haq 0/43(3.3)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Half-century for Shivam Dube; India score 148/4 – 17 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Azmatullah Omarzai continues with his bowling attack, with Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube are on crease. Rinku sends the second delivery with a deft touch. AND Its a second T20 half century for Shivam Dube. India scored 148/4 in 17 overs.
Shivam Dube 50
Rinku Singh 15
Azmatullah Omarzai 1/33(4)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Shivam, Rinku on crease, India score 140/4 – 16 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Naveen-ul-Haq continues his spell, with Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube are on crease. Dube smashes the first delivery for a boundary. India scored 140/3 in 16 overs.
Shivam Dube 48
Rinki Singh 9
Naveen-ul-Haq 0/32(3)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Shivam, Rinku on crease, India score 131/4 – 15 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Fazalhaq Farooqi continues his spell with Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh on crease. Dube sends the second delivery for a boundary with a drive through the covers. India score 131/4 runs in 15 overs. India need 28 runs in 30 balls.
Shivam Dube 41
Rinku Singh 7
Fazalhaq Farooqi 0/26(3)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Wicket!! Jitesh OUT, ; India score 121/4 – 14 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mujeeb Ur Rahman continues with his fourth over. Jitesh Sharma and Shivam Dube are on crease. Jitesh chips in a boundary on the third delivery. Wicket!! Jitesh OUT on the fifth delivery as Ibrahim Zadran takes the catch. Rinku Singh is the new batter and opens his account with a boundary. India scored 121/4 in 14 overs.
Shivam Dube 6
Rinku Singh 4
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/21(4)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Jitesh, Shivam on crease; India score 112/3 – 13 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Azmatullah Omarzai continues with his bowling attack, with Jitesh Sharma and Shivam Dube are on crease. Jitesh welcomes him with a boundary. India scored 112/3 in 13 overs.
Shivam Dube 34
Jitesh Sharma 27
Azmatullah Omarzai 1/25(3)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: 100-up for India, score 102/3 in 12 overs.
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Gulbadin Naib introduced as new bowler, with with Jitesh Sharma and Shivam Dube are on crease. Dube welcomes Naib with a boundary as he swats a shot inside out through the covers. Jitesh takes the nest risk and with his magnificent timing, she smashes the 4th delivery for a boundary. 100-up for India. India scored 102/3 in 12 overs.
Shivam Dube 33
Jitesh Sharma 18
Gulbadin Naib 0/12(1)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Jitesh, Shivam on crease; India score 90/3 – 11 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Azmatullah Omarzai continues with his bowling attack, with Jitesh Sharma and Shivam Dube are on crease. Jitesh finishes the over with a boundary. India scored 90/3 in 11 overs.
Shivam Dube 28
Jitesh Sharma 11
Azmatullah Omarzai 1/15(2)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Jitesh, Shivam on crease; India score 83/3 – 10 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Naveen-ul-Haq continues his spell, with Jitesh Sharma and Shivam Dube are on crease. Jitesh smashes first boundary on his IPL home ground in the third delivery. India scored 83/3 in 10 overs.
Shivam Dube 26
Jitesh Sharma 6
Naveen-ul-Haq 0/23(2)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Wicket!! Tilak OUT, India score 74/3 – 9 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Azmatullah Omarzai introduced as new bowler with Tilak Verma and Shivam Dube are on crease. Tilak dispatches third delivery through point and gets a boundary. Wicket!! Tilak caught OUT on 4th delivery as Gulbadin Naib takes it over deep backward square leg. Jitesh Sharma is the new Indian batter. India scored 74/3 in 9 overs.
Shivam Dube 22
Jitesh Sharma 1
Azmatullah Omarzai 1/8(1)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Tilak, Shivam on crease; India score 66/2 – 8 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Naveen-ul-Haq introduced as new bowler, with Tilak Verma and Shivam Dube are on crease. What a phenomenal SIX by Tilak on the second delivery. Dube finishes the over with a boundary. India scored 66/2 in 8 overs.
Shivam Dube 20
Tilak Varma 21
Naveen-ul-Haq 0/14(1)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: 50-up for India, score 52/2 – 7 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mohammad Nabi continues his attack, as Tilak Verma and Shivam Dube are on crease. Its a WHOPPING SIX by Shivam Dube on the leg side via a short sweep on the second delivery. Tilal finishes the over with a boundary and with this 50-up for India. India scored 52/2 in 7 overs.
Shivam Dube 14
Tilak Varma 13
Mohammad Nabi 0/24(2)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Tilak, Shivam on crease; India score 36/2 – 6 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mujeeb Ur Rahman continues with his third over. Tilak Verma and Shivam Dube are on crease. Maiden over. India scored 36/2 in 6 overs.
Shivam Dube 6
Tilak Varma 7
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1/12(3)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Tilak, Shivam on crease; India score 36/2 – 5 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mohammad Nabi introduced as new bowler, as Tilak Verma and Shivam Dube are on crease. India scored 36/2 in 5 overs.
Shivam Dube 6
Tilak Varma 7
Mohammad Nabi 0/8(1)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Wicket!! Gill OUT, India score 28/2-4 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mujeeb Ur Rahman delivers his second over with Gill and Tilak on crease. Gill opens the phase of the bat and send the second delivery for a boundary. But, on the 4th delivery he sends the ball for a FOUR over mid off. However, he loses his wicket on the fifth delivery by Rahman. India score 28/2 runs in 4 overs.
Shivam Dube 0
Tilak Varma 5
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1/16(2)
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Gill, Tilak on crease, India score 18/1 – 3 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Fazalhaq Farooqi continues his spell with Gill and Tilak on crease. Gill sends the third delivery for a boundary with his deep square leg shot and then sends the fifth delivery for a boundary too. India score 18/1 runs in 3 overs.
Shubman Gill 14
Tilak Varma 4
Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-0-15-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Gill, Tilak on crease, India score 8/1-2 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mujeeb Ur Rahman delivers the second over with Gill and Tilak on crease. India score 8/1 runs in two overs.
Shubman Gill 5
Tilak Varma 3
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1-0-3-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Wicket!! Rohit run out, India score 5/1
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Chasing a target of 158 runs, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill open for India, while Fazalhaq Farooqi open the bowling attack for Afghanistan. Wicket!! Rohit Sharma run out by Ibrahim Zadran on the second delivery of the first over. Tilak Verma joins as new batter. Gill smashes a boundary on the last delivery. India score 5/1 runs in first over.
Shubman Gill 4
Tilak Varma 1
Fazalhaq Farooqi 1-0-5-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 158/5- 20 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Arshdeep bowled the last over for India’s bowling innings and he conceded a boundary in his first delivery as Zadran hit a boundary for a flick shot. Another boundary hit by Zadran in backward point. Third boundary hit in backward square leg area. 15 runs came in this over.
Najibullah Zadran 19
Karim Janat 9
Arshdeep Singh 4-1-28-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 130/5- 18 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mukesh Kumar comes to bowl his final over in this match and he strikes first delivery of the over and gets the wicket of Azmatullah Omarzai who chops on the delivery to the the stumps. Najibullah Zadran comes in the middle as Afghanistan loses fourth wicket. Mohammed Nabi dismissed in the final delivery as he was caught by Rinku Singh in the deep.
Mohammad Nabi 42
Najibullah Zadran 1
Mukesh Kumar 4-0-33-2
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 125/3- 17 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Arshdeep Singh comes to bowl his third over. A good over as just five runs scored in the 17th over.
Azmatullah Omarzai 29
Mohammad Nabi 41
Arshdeep Singh 3-1-13-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 120/3- 16 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mukesh Kumar comes to bowl his third over and it is proving an expensive over as Mohammed Nabi has hit him for a couple of SIXES. The first SIX was a lofted off drive and then following it up with a pull shot for another SIX. 15 runs came in this over.
Mohammad Nabi 39
Azmatullah Omarzai 27
Mukesh Kumar 3-0-29-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 105/3- 15 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Ravi Bishnoi comes to bowl his third over and Azmatullah Omarzai hits him for a SIX with a slog sweep. Now Nabi joins in and hits back to back boundaries. The first one was a slog shot and then followed it with a cut shot. 16 runs came in this over. 100 runs comes up for Afghanistan
Mohammad Nabi 25
Azmatullah Omarzai 26
Ravi Bishnoi 3-0-35-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 89/3- 14 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Axar Patel comes to bowl his final over in this match. Six runs came from this over. A brilliant spell from Axar comes to an end.
Azmatullah Omarzai 19
Mohammad Nabi 16
Axar Patel 4-0-23-2
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 83/3- 13 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Ravi Bishnoi comes to bowl his second over. Mohammed Nabi hits a SIX down the ground for a maximum. Eleven runs came in this over. Bishnoi proving costly in this match.
Mohammad Nabi 12
Azmatullah Omarzai 17
Ravi Bishnoi 2-0-19-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 72/3- 12 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Shivam Dube comes to bowl his second over. A good over bowled by Shivam Dube. Omarzai hit a boundary in the final ball of the over. Seven runs came in this over.
Azmatullah Omarzai 14
Mohammad Nabi 4
Shivam Dube 2-0-9-1
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 57/3- 10 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Axar Patel comes to bowl his third over and he once again strikes in his final delivery. Second wicket for Axar as Rahmat drags the ball with an inside edge. Four runs and a wicket in this over.
Rahmat Shah 3
Azmatullah Omarzai 3
Axar Patel 3-0-17-2
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 53/2- 9 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Shivam Dube strikes in his second ball as he gets Ibrahim Zadran caught by Rohit Sharma. Just three runs in this over. Rahmat Shah comes in the middle in his debut T20 international match.
Rahmat Shah 1
Azmatullah Omarzai 1
Shivam Dube 1-0-2-1
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 50/1- 8 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Axar Patel comes to bowl his second over and Rahmanullah Gurbaz hits a SIX. Axar Patel strikes as Rahmanullah Gurbaz is stumped by Jitesh Sharma. India gets first wicket. Six runs scored in this over and a wicket for India. Azmatullah Omarzai comes in middle.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 23
Ibrahim Zadran 25
Axar Patel 2-0-13-1
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 44/0- 7 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Washington Sundar comes to bowl his second over. Ibrahim Zadran hits the first SIX of the match over the mid-wicket region with much ease. Eleven runs came in this over.
Ibrahim Zadran 25
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 17
Washington Sundar 2-0-14-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 33/0- 6 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mukesh Kumar comes to bowl his second over in this match. Eight runs came in the final over of the powerplay. Ibrahim Zadran hits a boundary in the last ball of the over by playing a upper cut.
Ibrahim Zadran 16
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 15
Mukesh Kumar 2-0-14-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 25/0- 5 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Washington Sundar comes to bowl his first over in the match. Just four runs came in this over.
Ibrahim Zadran 10
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 13
Washington Sundar 1-0-3-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 21/0- 4 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Axar Patel comes to bowl for the first time in the match and Ibrahim Zadran hits him for a boundary by playing a cut shot. Seven runs came in this over.
Ibrahim Zadran 8
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 12
Axar Patel 1-0-7-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: AFG 14/0- 3 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Arshdeep comes to bowl his second over and Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays an upper cut for his second boundary in the match. Shivam Dube spills an easy catch of Ibrahim Zadran. Eight runs came in this over.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 11
Ibrahim Zadran 2
Arshdeep Singh 2-1-8-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mukesh Kumar bowls second over, AFG 6/0- 2 overs
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Mukesh Kumar to bowl the second over and Afghanistan scores their first run as Ravi Bishnoi fumbles in the field. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hits the first boundary for Afghanistan with an on drive on front foot. Six runs came in this over.
Ibrahim Zadran 1
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 5
Mukesh Kumar 1-0-6-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Arshdeep Singh bowls first over, AFG 0/0- 1 over
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will open the innings for Afghanistan. Arshdeep Singh to bowl first over. A slight delay over light issue. Good start from Arshdeep as he bowls a maiden over.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 0
Ibrahim Zadran 0
Arshdeep Singh 1-1-0-0
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Ibrahim Zadran at toss
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: “We had also hoped to bowl first, but it’s not a significant concern for us. Our main objective now is to implement our strategies effectively. This series represents a substantial opportunity for us, particularly as we prepare for the T20 World Cup. We are focusing on playing aggressive and positive cricket, which is crucial for our team’s development.”
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Rohit Sharma at toss
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: We’ve decided to field first. There’s no specific reason behind this choice; the pitch here at Mohali is consistent and doesn’t vary much. These three games are crucial for us, especially since we haven’t played much T20 cricket in the lead-up to the World Cup. Of course, there’s the IPL, but playing in international matches is a different ball game, and we’re keen to make the most of this opportunity. I’ve had a discussion with Rahul Dravid about our team composition and strategy moving forward. Our focus is on understanding and executing our roles effectively as a unit. However, the ultimate goal remains to win.”
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Update on Yashasvi Jaiswal
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Yashasvi Jaiswal was unavailable for selection for the first T20I due to a sore right groin.
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: India’s Playing XI, Yashasvi Jaiswal misses out
Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: India won the toss and elected to field
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Rohit Sharma won the toss and he has elected to chase. Afghanistan to bat first
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Pitch report
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Deep Dasgupta and Nick Knight with the pitch report. Square boundaries – 65 metres and 68 metres, straight boundary – 76 metres. Nice tinge of green grass, it’ll do a little bit for the quicker bowlers with the new ball. After that, it’ll slide on quite nicely. The quicker bowlers have had problems here. The spinners have been flourishing on this surface. Not a lot (for the spinners). When you look at the Afghanistan spinners, you don’t focus on what’s gonna happen here (on the pitch), you focus on what’s happening as the ball comes down. They bowl quick, so as a batter the decision making time is less. They rush you a little bit. I don’t think there’s going to be any dew. There wasn’t last night, I don’t think there will be today.
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: India vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: Both teams have contested on five occasions with India winning four games and one game ending in no result. Afghanistan are yet to open their account.
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: “We’re certainly opening with Rohit and Jaiswal,” says Rahul Dravid
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: “As of now, We’re certainly opening with Rohit and Jaiswal. But when you have a squad, you have to have that flexibility to do whatever is required if that is in the best interest of the team, and gives us the best chance to succeed. So nothing is closed. But certainly, we’re really happy with what Jaiswal has done as an opener for us, and he gives us a left-right combination as well at the top,” Rahul Dravid said in a pre-match press conference.
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: “Definitely” have plans for Rohit, Virat: Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott
India vs Afghanistan Live Score: “Any side that India selects is strong. Add to that the likes of Rohit and Virat, and they have been world-class players for a while. We are fortunate enough to have players who have played quite a lot of cricket against them in the IPL. The other guys have watched them on TV, so there will definitely be some plans for them. It’s about executing those plans and making sure that on the day we are ready to do that,” Jonathan Trott told JioCinema.
India vs Afghanistan Live: De Villiers terms Rohit-Virat recall for T20Is a “smart move”
India vs Afghanistan Live: “I am not surprised. I am happy for both Rohit and Virat. You want to take your best team to the World Cup. I can understand the criticism regarding the youngsters who will miss out after playing all this while. I was in this position at the backend of my career, it did not work out for me like it did for Virat and Rohit. It is a right and a smart move to get your experienced players, who have been there and done that, to play in the World Cup,” De Villiers told the media.
India vs Afghanistan Live: Focus on Sanju Samson
India vs Afghanistan Live: Sanju Samson has probably forced his way into this Team India squad thanks to that ODI century(108 off 114 balls) he scored against South Africa in the third ODI and helped India win the ODI series 2-1.
India vs Afghanistan Live: Coach Rahul Dravid’s approach on dealing with spinners
India vs Afghanistan Live: Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Dravid said, “We know they have got some really good spinners. So it will be a good challenge for our batsmen. We have discussed about it as well – how to play and dominate their spinners. So it will be a good challenge, and we are looking forward to it,”
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