IND vs AFG 2nd T20I: Virat Kohli to return, Predicting India's Playing11 for 2nd T20I against Afghanistan
PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav

IND vs AFG 2nd T20I: After comfortably capping off the 1st T20I by six wickets in Mohali, Team India will square off against Afghanistan in the second game of the three-match T20I series in Indore on January 14. The contest will be staged in Indore’s Holkar Stadium, starting at 7:00 PM IST.

The Men in Blue spearheaded by Rohit Sharma rode on the back of comprehensive performance from all its players to defeat Afghanistan in the opening fixture in Mohali. The Indian bowling unit kept things tight right from the start and didn’t give away too many easy runs to the Afghans.

Afghanistan’s top order got decent starts to their innings, but couldn’t capitalise on that. Later in the innings, all-rounder Mohammad Nabi played a 42-run knock in just 27 deliveries to take his side to a decent total (158 runs) on a proper batting surface.

In the pursuit of the modest total, Team India lost its skipper for a duck owing to a mixup between the two openers. However, the partnerships began to build as the innings progressed.

Shivam Dube remained the pick of the players for India as he mustered an unbeaten 60-run score in just 40 deliveries to take India home along with a wicket. Jitesh Sharma also contributed with his decent 31-run knock.

Notably, Team India had a couple of forced changes in the playing11 during the first T20I in Mohali. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal wasn’t available due to a sore groin and Virat Kohli was out for personal reasons. However, the two players are expected to be available for selection in the 2nd T20I against Afghanistan on Sunday (January 14, 2024).

Below is India’s Playing11 for 2nd T20I against Afghanistan – Prediction:

IND vs AFG 2nd T20I: India’s Playing11 for 2nd T20I against Afghanistan

IND vs AFG 2nd T20I: Virat Kohli to return, Predicting India's Playing11 for 2nd T20I against Afghanistan
Image: BCCI.tv

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is likely to open the innings along with left-arm opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who missed the first game after not pulling up well. The southpaw will replace Shubman Gill in the playing11. Jaiswal’s presence will provide Team India with a left-hand-right-hand opening combination, which is considered ideal.

Meanwhile, with Kohli available, he will be slotted at his regular number three position in the team, replacing Tilak Varma. Although Varma did decent in the opening games, he hasn’t been able to grab the opportunities thrown at him with both his hands open.

The rest of the playing11 is anticipated to remain the same for the 2nd T20I. Kohli will be followed by Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh.

For the spin bowling all-rounder’s option, the team will have the services of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. The two will be paired with young Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar to form the bowling department.

India’s Playing11 for 2nd T20IPredicted

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar.

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