ICC World Cup 2023, IND Vs AFG | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

India defeated Australia in their first WC match [AP]

India face-off against Afghanistan in Match 9 of the ICC World Cup 2023 in Delhi on Wednesday (October 11). The two-time champions and tournament favourites take on the understated Asian rivals in their next game of the marquee competition after beating arch-rivals Australia in Chennai. 

For the spirited Afghans, here is an opportunity to showcase their true mettle after a disappointing performance against Bangladesh in their campaign opener in Dharamshala. Neither with bat nor the ball did the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led outfit give a good account of themselves and will have to pull their socks for the clash with Rohit Sharma's men. 

IND vs AFG: Team Previews 

India 

India flexed their depth and muscle on a dry surface in Chennai against the Australians and also their strong zeal and temperament by coming back strongly when put under the pump. Men in Blue dismissed the Aussies for 199 despite the opposition standing strong on 110/2 at one stage and produced an admirable fightback during the chase after suffering a mini top-order collapse. 

Spinners ruled the roost for India at Chepauk with experienced allrounder Ravindra Jadeja leading the pack and finishing with 3 for 28. Jadeja found great support from Ravichandran Ashwin (1/34) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/42). The trio offered the opposition no respite or breathing space in the decisive first half of the game. 

During the chase, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli produced a masterclass of a partnership in a tricky second half after India were reduced to a woeful 3 for 2 following the early departures of Rohit, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. Rahul batted with great solidity and calmness for his unbeaten 97 while the legend at the other end brought all his experience and command into play for a wonderful 85 in their team's six-wicket victory. 

India might look to tweak their plans for the Afghanistan game on a flatter surface in Delhi with the potential inclusion of pacer Mohammad Shami above third spinner Ashwin as they strive to continue the winning run in early days of the competition. 

---

ALSO READ

Arun Jaitley Stadium Delhi Weather Report For IND Vs AFG World Cup 2023 Match

---

Afghanistan 

Afghanistan need to declare an emergency with their strike-rotation abilities and technique versus pace and spin. The moment the Bangladeshi seamers got the ball to nip around and their spinners tightened the screws on Afghani batters, they had little to no safe answers under pressure. 

Afghanistan lost their first game against Bangladesh [AP]

The Afghans were bundled out for a paltry 156 all out in a fixture where they were expected to run the more-fancied Bangladesh close. Apart from the talented Rahmanullah Gurbaz for his impressive 47, none of the Afghanistan batters could stand the test of sustained pressure at both ends. 

With the ball, the tournament darkhorses fought a lost battle after their batters had sold them down the river with a disastrous collapse. Rashid Khan & the rest will require more runs on the board if they are to put the much-vaunted Indians under some pressure in the next match.

IND vs AFG: Match Details & Live Streaming

IND vs AFG: Delhi Pitch Report 

Historically, the pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi has been one of the slower surfaces in India. The track has offered spinners grip and turn in the first half of the game before dew settling in makes it easier for the batters to rule the roost. 

However, the pitch played in complete contrast to that when South Africa took on Sri Lanka earlier in the World Cup with the Proteas dominating the opposition with a score of 428/5. The ground curator seems to put in extra effort to create more pace off the deck, which shall aid another high-scoring fixture when India take on Afghanistan. 

IND vs AFG: Probable Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

IND vs AFG: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Captain: Virat Kohli

Vice-captain: Hardik Pandya

IND vs AFG: Winner Prediction

India should continue on the winning ways in their clash against the Afghanistan side. The Asian giants are masters of their home conditions and have the depth that shall prove too good for the struggling underdogs. 

---

ALSO READ

Arun Jaitley Stadium Delhi Pitch Report For IND Vs AFG World Cup 2023 Match

---