As India prepares for the final T20I against Afghanistan at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the focus is not only on clinching a clean sweep but also on fine-tuning the squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
India’s Squad Tweaks for the Final Battle
Winning the toss, captain Rohit Sharma opted to bat first in Bengaluru, setting the stage for India’s last T20I before the ICC T20 World Cup. The hosts made strategic changes to their playing XI, introducing Sanju Samson, Avesh Khan, and Kuldeep Yadav for the first time in the series. Samson takes on the wicketkeeping duties, while Avesh and Kuldeep bolster the bowling attack. Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Jitesh Sharma made way for these fresh faces, as Rohit Sharma looks to provide opportunities to all squad members.
Afghanistan also made changes to their lineup, with Ibrahim Zadran entering the playing XI. Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed, and Fazalhaq Farooqi were benched, while Qais Ahmad, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Saleem, and Fareed Ahmad were given the nod.
Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh’s Impact
Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh played pivotal roles in India’s series-clinching win in Indore. Axar, the spin all-rounder, showcased his effectiveness with figures of 2/23 and 2/17 in the first two matches, playing a crucial role in restricting Afghanistan’s batting line-up. Arshdeep Singh, the pacer, made a strong comeback in the second T20I, securing a three-wicket haul and contributing to India’s bowling success.
In addition to the bowling prowess, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube stood out with their stellar batting performances in the second T20I. Jaiswal exhibited his talent with a commanding 68 off 34 deliveries, while Dube remained unbeaten with an impactful 63 off 32 balls, guiding India to a six-wicket victory in the 172-run chase.
As India eyes a clean sweep, the final T20I serves as a crucial platform to assess squad dynamics and readiness for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. The encounter promises excitement and strategic insights, adding anticipation to India’s T20 cricket journey.
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