IND vs AFG Predicted Playing XI, T20 World Cup Super Eight: Can Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal bolster India’s line-up?

IND vs AFG: India might consider including Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI keeping in mind the slow decks in West Indies.

India’s Virat Kohli and Kuldeep Yadav during a practice session ahead of the T20 World Cup Super Eight match against Afghanistan. | Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR/The Hindu

After clearing the first stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 without any hiccups, Rohit Sharma’s India will face a stern challenge in the Super Eight phase as it takes on Afghanistan at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Thursday.

The 2007 champion finished on top of Group A, ahead of co-host USA after staying unbeaten.

FOLLOW BLOG | IND V AFG SUPER 8 GROUP 1 MATCH LIVE SCORES & UPDATES

While India’s batting hasn’t really shone in adverse conditions in New York, the bowling set-up stepped up, guiding the Men in Blue to three crucial wins.

With scores of 97, 119 and 111, India averages 109 with the bat in the group stage.

CHANGE IN OPENING SLOT?

The new opening pair of Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma has struggled to give India a strong start, managing only 35 runs for the first wicket across three innings. Kohli, India’s regular No. 3 batter, who averages nearly 54 in T20Is at that position, has recorded scores of 1, 4, and 0 in the group stage.

India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal during a practice session ahead of the T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Afghanistan. | Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR/The Hindu

With the T20 World Cup caravan moving from the USA to the Caribbean, where scoring rates have significantly increased, India cannot afford to have an unstable top order. One possibility for India is the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener, alongside Rohit, allowing Kohli to return to his preferred No. 3 spot.

The left-right combination of Jaiswal and Rohit has previously proven effective on West Indies pitches during India’s Test series last year. However, this aggressive pairing could force Rohit to drop Shivam Dube from the line-up.

KULDEEP IN ACTION?

India might also consider including Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI to capitalise on the slow pitches in West Indies. While spinners have been crucial in controlling the scoring rates in Barbados, pacers have taken more wickets.

Kuldeep’s inclusion would require Rohit and the team management to reconsider the line-up. Ravindra Jadeja, who hasn’t scored a single run in this World Cup so far, is yet to pick a wicket too.

On the other hand, Axar Patel has proven his worth with valuable contributions in the group stage. In this scenario, Kuldeep might replace Mohammed Siraj, as Rohit could prefer to retain Jadeja for his experience in big matches.

However, it is likely too that Rohit, who prefers stability and minimal changes during a tournament, might opt to go with an unchanged team.

INDIA’S PREDICTED PLAYING XI VS AFGHANISTAN

• Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav/Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

THE SQUADS

INDIA

Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal.

AFGHANISTAN

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Mohammad Ishaq, Nangeyalia Kharote, Hazratullah Zazai.