India are poised to clash with Afghanistan in the second T20I of their three-match series on January 14, Sunday, at Indore's Holkar Cricket Stadium.
Currently leading the series 1-0, Rohit Sharma-led India secured an easy six-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the opening T20I at Mohali on January 11, Thursday. Shivam Dube played an instrumental role in India's stunning win in the second T20I, smashing 60 runs off 40 balls and sealing the game with a six. He also delivered a tight bowling spell, conceding only 9 runs in two overs and taking a wicket. The Indian middle order also shone, with Jitesh Sharma contributing 31 runs from 20 balls and Rinku Singh adding a brisk 16, aiding India in achieving their target.
The second T20I marks the return of Virat Kohli to the shortest format after a 14-month hiatus. Kohli, who missed the first T20I in Mohali for personal reasons, rejoined the Indian squad in Indore on January 13, Saturday.
As the Holkar Stadium gears up for the second T20I, a hazy evening is anticipated on January 14, Sunday. Fortunately, no rain disruptions are expected during the game. The day's maximum temperature is forecasted to be around 21 degrees Celsius, dipping to a minimum of around 16 degrees Celsius by the match's conclusion. The match should proceed smoothly, although dew might become a factor in the latter half.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup starting June 1, this series represents India's final international endeavor. India aims to fully utilize their last two matches and the forthcoming 17th edition of the IPL to determine their team composition for the prestigious tournament.
With no more T20I series scheduled before the T20 World Cup in June, every performance against Afghanistan carries added weight.
India's squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), 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's squad: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib.
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