India Face Afghanistan Test in First T20 International
India begin their three match T20 series against Afghanistan in Delhi, with both teams seeking victory and several selection battles adding extra interest to the opening contest.
Team India will return to T20 international action on Sunday when they take on Afghanistan in the opening match of the three game Friendship Cup series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
The contest carries plenty of interest for both sides. Afghanistan are hosting a series on Indian soil for the first time in their international cricket history, while thousands of Afghan residents in Delhi are expected to give their team strong support at the venue.
For India, the series is an opportunity to assess their options ahead of the Asian Games in Japan. Captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir face some difficult calls while putting together the playing eleven.
The biggest question surrounds the opening position. Experienced campaigner Sanju Samson is competing with 15 year old Vaibhav Suryavanshi for a place at the top of the order. Samson brings considerable experience, while Suryavanshi has impressed with his fearless batting.
Wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan also faced a concern during practice on Friday after experiencing back pain. If he is ruled out, India could find room for both Samson and Suryavanshi in the playing eleven.
India will otherwise have plenty of firepower. Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and all rounder Nitish Reddy are set to return, adding strength to the bowling and balance of the side. Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar also provide experienced options.
Another decision awaits Iyer regarding the lower order. India must choose between playing an additional specialist bowler or using a bowling all rounder to strengthen their batting depth.
Afghanistan enter the match under new captain Ibrahim Zadran. Their spin department could prove particularly challenging for Indian batters, with Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman forming a dangerous combination.
Rashid is also closing in on a major T20 milestone. He needs seven more international wickets to become the first bowler to reach 200 wickets in the format.
Afghanistan will also look towards Fazalhaq Farooqi and the returning Naveen ul Haq for pace. The team has not defeated India in international cricket so far and will be hoping to change that record in Delhi.
With India looking to fine tune their combination and Afghanistan chasing a historic victory, the opening T20 promises an intriguing contest.
