India is gearing up for the second T20I in Indore, with the return of Virat Kohli set to spice up the action. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will have to face the series without Rashid Khan, but remain a formidable T20 team nonetheless, with several of their players featuring in top franchise leagues worldwide.
Kohli’s return brings excitement, but also scrutiny, as he looks to improve his T20 performance against spin bowlers, particularly against Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi. Meanwhile, there is significant interest in Rohit Sharma’s ability to dominate powerplays in T20Is as he did in ODI matches at the World Cup.
India’s inclusion of Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar has bolstered their bowling options and deepened their batting lineup, providing a strong case for Dube to be considered as a backup for Hardik Pandya in the T20 World Cup squad, should he perform well in the upcoming IPL season.
Afghanistan, with a deep batting order, faces some challenges at the top and will be hoping for a better showing. Their young talent Azmatullah Omarzai, known for his explosive batting and swinging abilities, has the potential to make a significant impact in the upcoming matches.
In terms of team news, Kohli’s return is eagerly awaited, while the potential inclusion of Jaiswal, the assessment of bowlers like Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan, and the fitness of Hazratullah Zazai are all factors to watch out for.
The upcoming match in Indore is anticipated to produce high scores, as the venue attracts fast-paced, thrilling T20 action with its flat pitch, fast outfield, and short boundaries.
Stats and trivia: India’s recent T20I record stands at WWLWW, while Afghanistan’s is LWLWW, indicating an exciting battle in the making.
In the spotlight: Jitesh Sharma and Azmatullah Omarzai
Jitesh Sharma, known for his explosive finishing skills in the IPL, is emerging as India’s first-choice keeper-batter in T20Is, while Azmatullah Omarzai, with his big-hitting and swing bowling prowess, is poised to make a mark for Afghanistan.
As the teams gear up for the upcoming clash, all eyes are on the return of Kohli, the potential impact of exciting talents like Omarzai, and the thrilling possibilities that the Indore match holds in store.