After a comfortable win against arch-rivals Pakistan, the Indian side sits fourth on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 points table. Pakistan's decision to bowl first cost them the match as Rohit Sharma scored a blistering ton (140 off 113) whereas skipper Virat Kohli's half-century helped India table a formidable total of 336/5 at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday.
Pakistan, in their response, were defeated after a terrific bowling attack from Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Eventually, the match was hindered with rainfall but India managed to win the match by 89 runs, with the D/L method brought into play.
Now, Virat Kohli & Co. will face Afghanistan on June 22, Saturday at the Rose Bowl Stadium, Hampshire. The Gulbadin Naib-led squad will face India after they were defeated by World Cup 2019 hosts England, as captain Eoin Morgan blasted record-breaking 17 sixes in that match.
Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Can India Maintain Their Unbeaten Run Against Pakistan?
Accordingly, as Afghanistan face Team India, can they register their first World Cup 2019 win or will India continue to savour the taste of victory? In order to continue their winning streak, here’s what India needs to do:
Afghanistan is a team with great players but they lack experience and hence, India must look to elect to bat first if they win the toss, as the strong batting lineup with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, can help the team pile up a massive target. Meanwhile, after Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out of the tournament, young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was brought in as his replacement.
Indian bowlers can strangle the inexperienced Afghani batsmen who had succumbed to pressure in their previous World Cup matches. Even if India lose the toss, their intent must be clear and they should look to approach the opponents aggressively.
Rashid Khan is a talented and cunning bowler. He has outsmarted top-class batsmen with his accuracy and deceptive googlies. While he was taken to the cleaners by Eoin Morgan & Co., it can be ruled out as a bad day on the field. Khan is still a dangerous bowler and it is vital that the Indian batsmen play his overs out patiently.
The pitch at Hampshire is definitely a batsman-friendly but the previous matches have shown that spinners have found help from the track and therefore, along with Rashid Khan, Indian spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav can also wreak havoc through the Afghani batting line-up.
While Afghanistan haven't found a single win in the Cricket World Cup 2019, India will look to outplay them and bring another easy win to their dolly.
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