The IND vs AFG match will be played in Delhi on October 11, Wednesday. The match starts at 2 pm IST and is the second game for both teams. India defeated Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup 2019 game by 11 runs.
India will be led by Rohit Sharma. He has an opportunity to play aggressive cricket in the match against Afghanistan and notch up a big win for his team. He scored a duck in his first World Cup innings as captain and can make up for it against Bangladesh.
Afghanistan will be led by Hasmatullah Shahidi who has himself struggled as a captain. Bangladesh wasted a good opportunity to win their campaign opener against Bangladesh. Their batters need to step up in the rest of the tournament and give enough to their bowlers to defend.
This game is expected to be a trial-by-spin as both teams have good-quality spin attacks. India should ideally play three spinners on a turning track in Delhi. Afghanistan too should back their three spinners against India.
South Africa racked up 428 against Sri Lanka in the first game played at this venue. However, the conditions for the IND vs AFG game are expected to be a lot different. The required measures are expected to be taken by the ground staff to ensure that the match becomes a competitive one.
India and Afghanistan have played three ODIs to date with two won by India and one ending in a draw. The Afghans are still searching for their first ODI win against India. With the crowd against them, it will be interesting to see how they cope up with the pressure of playing against India.
After the win against Australia, this game provided India with an opportunity to play attacking cricket. However, they need to mix caution with aggression. The openers need to spend time out in the middle after both of them scored ducks against the Aussies. Ishan Kishan especially needs to take his opportunities.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has confirmed that Shubman Gill will miss the game against Afghanistan as he continues his recovery from illness. This will mean that Kishan will get another opportunity at the top of the order and needs to make this count.
India can ideally go with the same XI with three spinners intact which should be a good option given the Delhi track aids spinners historically. After a win against the Aussies, there is no need to change the winning combination.