We are reaching closer to our semi-finalist contenders, and with Match 33, we might get a clear picture or see more complicated equations piling up, especially in Group 2. Even though Pakistan have officially fixed their spot for the semis, it’s the teams competing today who have made the points table interesting with their extraordinary (or rather lack of) performances.
India
Touted as the favorites to win the trophy before the tournament commenced, India are yet to win a game. One can only imagine what must have happened to this team in one month, especially when individuals of the same squad lighted up the Indian Premier League with their cracking performances. Slumped shoulders in fielding, conservative approach in batting, and lack of fire in bowling—all in all, a ghost from their prime everywhere.
The main concern for Kohli’s men at the moment is their batting (even though the bowling department has managed to clinch only two wickets in the two fixtures till now). India have just hit three boundaries in 16 overs of spin this tournament and scored their runs at a rate of 4.75 runs per over.
The decision to send Rohit Sharma at number three, instead of his usual opening spot, bit them hard, and hopefully, it won’t be repeated in this match. It’s an unspoken rule in cricket that you don’t meddle with your top three batters, and India got the first-hand experience of this last match against New Zealand. Another worry that’s been stinging this Indian side is the curious case of Hardik Pandya. His strike rate has dipped to a low 118.43 with a best of 40* in 2021 (T20I & IPL), already looking like a batter out of his prime.
Everyone knows that India’s bench strength is the most sought out over the world. But if one cannot back that with performances, it will soon lose its reputation. Hopefully, we might see this change today.
Afghanistan
Who would have thought that Afghanistan would receive the vote as the favorites between their fixture against India, that too this early? However, such has been the rise of Afghanistan in T20I format that they cannot be taken lightly by any means.
With nearly toppling up the Pakistani team, Afghanistan has upped their level by several notches. They have an average score of 51 in Powerplays during this Super 12 phase, which should give out how bold they have been in their approach, considering the playing conditions in the UAE.
As we advance in today’s match, the only thing of concern is Afghanistan’s pace bowling. Although, on the other hand, their spin prowess is probably the most lethal of this tournament, the same cannot be said for their pace attack, which might prove costly.
Afghanistan have a golden chance of topping the heavyweights today, considering how battered the Indian squad has carried themselves in their campaign. A once in a lifetime opportunity, which they are aware of, and which they won’t shy away from.
Probable Playing XI
India
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy.
Afghanistan
Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (c), Hamid Hassan, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, and Naveen Haq.