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Xtra Time Web Desk: As India prepares to face Afghanistan in their first Super Eight match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, head coach Rahul Dravid tackled two burning questions regarding the playing XI. Despite India's unbeaten run in the group stage and their perfect T20 record against Afghanistan, the build-up to Thursday's game in Barbados has been dominated by selection debates.

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Virat Kohli, who excelled in the IPL 2024 with 741 runs in 15 innings to secure the Orange Cap, was promoted to the opening role for India. However, his underwhelming performance in the group stage, scoring just 4, 1, and 0 in three matches, has sparked discussions on his position in the batting order. Opinions are divided; some veterans argue against tinkering with the lineup to avoid disrupting other batters, while others support the move.

Addressing these concerns, Dravid emphasized flexibility in the batting order. Speaking to the media in Barbados on Wednesday, he stated, “Each situation is unique. It is hard to keep something set in stone. I believe we should be flexible in our thinking and able to adapt to situations. I feel we have always been conscious of that. A lot of the time, you make these changes keeping something in mind, and it works sometimes or it doesn't, but we can't judge everything based on results.”

Dravid cited examples from previous matches, including strategic moves like promoting Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant up the order, showcasing India's adaptability in the T20 format.

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Another key discussion point is the inclusion of a wrist-spinner in the playing XI. While Dravid did not reveal the final lineup, he hinted that either Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal might feature in the game against Afghanistan. “It is tough to leave anyone out. All the four guys that we left out in the matches are all quality players. It is just the conditions and what we felt was the requirement in that particular venue made us go with that combination. Here it might be different. Not giving too much away, we might feel the need for an extra spinner here and someone like Kuldeep or Yuzi may come into the picture and be a big factor for us, that is why we picked four spinners,” Dravid explained.

As anticipation builds for the clash in Barbados, Dravid's insights highlight India's strategic approach and readiness to adapt as they aim to continue their winning momentum in the T20 World Cup.