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India's head coach Rahul is wary of ‘Afghanistan’ challenge ahead of India's T20 World Cup 2024's Super 8 clash against Rashid Khan-led side. Notably, Rohit Sharma's Team India will lock horns with Afghanistan in their Super 8 opener on June 20. Right ahead of the clash, Rahul Dravid came to address the press and said that India won't take Afghanistan lightly in any which way.
Dravid in no mood to take Afghanistan lightly
“Firstly it was good to play in New York. All games were well attended. To come to Barbados which has great history. Couple of days we had great practice. We are ready. Afghanistan are a dangerous side. Lot of their players play on T20 leagues. They are well travelled. Prominent members of IPL. We won't treat them any different,” Rahul Dravid said in the pre-match press conference.
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India are still unbeaten in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. India cruised through Group A, topping the table with an undefeated record (7 points from 4 games) following victories over Ireland, Pakistan, and USA. However, a question mark hangs over the team's batting lineup, particularly the form of veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, especially latter who hasn't found his scoring touch yet.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, dominated their Group B campaign, winning their first three matches before falling to West Indies in their final group fixture. Despite the loss, they secured second place in the group. The Afghans boast a strong batting unit with a number of talented all-rounders capable of influencing the game's course. Their bowling attack has also been impressive, making them a force to be reckoned with in the Super 8s.
Dravid also talked about Afghanistan's fiery bowling attack by namedropping Naveen Ul Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
“Afghans have a very good bowling attack. Farooqi and Naveen swing the ball. Their spinners too. But we have the skill to counter them,” Dravid said.
If we look at the India versus Afghanistan's track record against each other in the T20 World Cups, Rohit Sharma's men have an edge over Rashid's brigade. The two teams have clashed three times with each other in T20 World Cups so far, with India emerging victorious in all encounters. Their most recent matchup in this marquee tournament took place during the 2021 edition in Dubai.
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