A devastating batting display from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube helped India over the line in the second of three T20I against Afghanistan in Indore on January 14, 2024. Having also beaten the visitors three days prior, the Men in Blue confirmed a series victory through their triumph at the Holkar Stadium ahead of India vs Afghanistan, 3rd T20I, even if the question marks surrounding some of the team's combinations and picks lingered still, especially with the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 right around the corner. (Scorecard | More Cricket News)
All but certain to lead India at the World Cup, Rohit Sharma endured another disastrous day out in Indore. After cheaply giving himself away to a run out in the first T20I, the skipper succumbed to poor timing and a splendid Fazalhaq Farooqi delivery on the first ball he faced in the second. Still, the hosts are likely to persist with Sharma for the third T20I in the hopes that he can rediscover his exceptional touch.
While Sharma has faltered, Shivam Dube has enjoyed a successful series two games in. The Indian batter claimed the man-of-the-match honour in the first T20I and was a significant part of why his team successfully chased down the Afghanistan total in the second. A contender for the Man of the Series award, Dube is likely to retain his spot at number four.
India vs Afghanistan, 3rd T20I, Weather Report:
The most encouraging news from the usually overcast Bengaluru ahead of the third T20I is that the chances of rain disrupting play are minimal - if not non-existent. Bengaluru is expected to enjoy a bright and sunny day, with temperatures shifting around 20 degrees Celsius throughout the day.
India vs Afghanistan, 3rd T20I, Likely Playing XIs:
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar
Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Qais Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
India vs Afghanistan, Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib
