India faces a tricky Afghanistan test in the Super 8s opener.
Defending champions India will begin their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 campaign with a challenging match-up against a spirited Afghanistan side on Thursday. The game marks India’s first match in the Caribbean islands in this tournament after playing their group fixtures in the United States.
While India entered the next round as table-toppers in their group, Afghanistan had to endure a tough loss to West Indies in their last group match. However, the Mohammad Nabi-led side remains a dangerous opponent on their day. Veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be key for India in navigating the Super 8s stage where they will play across different Caribbean venues in a packed schedule.
Afghanistan will draw inspiration from pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi’s superb bowling thus far. The left-arm seamer has picked 12 wickets and could trouble the Indian batting order with his line and lengths. Meanwhile, Rashid Khan as always will be Afghanistan’s biggest weapon with his clever leg-spin.
However, India boasts a formidable batting unit with reinforcements in the likes of Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav who are in good touch. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh leading a lethal Indian pace attack also gives them an edge.
Both sides have battled closely in previous clashes as well. India overall leads the head-to-head 7-1 but Afghanistan pushed them to Super Overs the last time they toured India earlier this year.
With the Kensington Oval surface assisting both bat and ball as per recent games, a fascinating battle beckons between these Asia rivals to kick off the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 phase.
