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Rohit Sharma And Rashid Khan pic:x

Xtra Time Web Desk: As the T20 World Cup 2024 advances into its Super Eight stage, India and Afghanistan are set to face off in what promises to be a gripping encounter. Their last T20I meeting in January, which required two Super Overs to decide a winner, showcased the teams' intense competitiveness even with less-than-full-strength squads. Now, with higher stakes, the match might lean more towards strategic play than spectacle.

Afghanistan’s formidable bowling attack will be crucial in challenging the experienced Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Leading the charge will be Fazalhaq Farooqi, whose left-arm swing bowling could disrupt India's top order. Should Farooqi succeed, India might find themselves under pressure, an ideal scenario for Afghanistan’s captain and star spinner, Rashid Khan. Known for his ability to exploit shaky situations, Rashid could be pivotal in dismantling India's batting lineup.

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India, however, has a counter in Suryakumar Yadav, who boasts an impressive record against Rashid, having scored 86 runs off 58 balls at a strike rate of 148 without being dismissed. Shivam Dube, though facing Rashid less frequently, has also fared well. Additionally, Rashid’s recent struggles against left-hand batters, who have managed a strike rate of 141 against him this year, could be a strategic advantage for India.

Afghanistan’s strength undeniably lies in their bowling, but India's depth and versatility in batting might neutralize this advantage. Consequently, a standout performance from one of Afghanistan’s batters will be essential for their success.

Spotlight on Gurbaz and Patel

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with his fearless approach, will be key for Afghanistan. His ability to score rapidly against both pace and spin could set the tone for Afghanistan’s innings. In a previous match against New Zealand, Gurbaz's 80 off 56 balls demonstrated his potential to change the game single-handedly.

For India, Axar Patel’s role as a containing left-arm spinner will be crucial. His accuracy and attacking the stumps, combined with his lower-order batting, provide India with the flexibility to play aggressively from the start. Patel’s effectiveness will be amplified given Afghanistan’s limited left-handed batting options.

Team Line-ups

India is likely to retain their current XI, confident in their balanced squad. Afghanistan, despite a recent loss to the West Indies, might also stick with their existing team configuration.

Probable Teams:

• Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
• India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

Pitch and Conditions

Bridgetown has provided favorable batting conditions, having hosted one of the three 200-plus scores in this tournament. Weather is expected to be conducive for play.

Stats and Trivia

• Afghanistan has yet to win against India in 13 encounters across formats.
• Gurbaz (167 runs) and Farooqi (12 wickets) lead the tournament in runs and wickets, respectively.
• In two T20Is against Rashid Khan, India has scored 69 runs in eight overs without losing a wicket.
• Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are tied with 4042 T20I runs each, just behind Babar Azam’s 4145 runs.

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Quote of the Day

"I always thought that during the most difficult phase of T20, like between [overs] 7 to 14, 7 to 16 - I had thought about that a lot before making my debut for India - if I do well here, if I bat with a good strike rate, then I can be a game-changer on that day. And when I kept doing it repeatedly, I felt that this is my game plan going forward." Suryakumar Yadav, India Batter

As the match approaches, fans and analysts alike are bracing for a contest where strategic prowess and individual brilliance will be on full display.