IPL is over, now the real test! Team India will face Afghanistan today, know the pitch report and possible playing 11.
India vs Afghanistan Test Match Preview: After the glamor of IPL, packed stadiums and rain of fours and sixes, now Indian cricket is going to enter a completely different mode. From June 6, the only Test match will be played between India and Afghanistan in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, where the players will have to leave the T20 mentality and test their patience and technique.
Although, this match is not a part of the World Test Championship (WTC), but its importance for Team India is no less than any big test. This will be the first opportunity for the new Indian team to test itself before big assignments like Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Gambhir’s new test team’s first big test
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has been continuously reiterating that every Test match is important, whether it is a part of the WTC or not. During his tenure, Indian cricket is trying to move beyond ‘star culture’ and create a new identity. After the Test era of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, now the command of the team is in the hands of Shubman Gill. This young team is still gathering experience and the match against Afghanistan will be the first yardstick to measure its progress.
Sai Sudarshan will get a big opportunity
The most interesting decision in team selection seems to be regarding the number-3 batting order. It is almost certain that Sai Sudharsan, who is in excellent form, will get a chance at number 3. This means that Devdutt Padikkal may have to wait for now. The team management is working on a policy of giving long chances to the players and wants to avoid frequent changes.
Test match will be held for the first time in Mullanpur
This match will be played at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, where a Test match is being organized for the first time. Recently, IPL playoff matches were played on this ground.
How will the pitch be?
A day before the match, light grass appeared on the pitch, but due to the scorching heat it is likely to dry quickly. In such a situation, spinners can get help as the match progresses. The temperature is expected to be around 40 degrees Celsius, which will prove to be a big challenge for the players.
India’s probable playing XI
- KL Rahul
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sai Sudarshan
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
- washington beautiful
- Nitish Reddy
- Harsh Dubey / Manav Suthar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammad Siraj
- famous krishna
Team India cannot take Afghanistan lightly
Afghanistan may be in the early stages of Test cricket, but it has the ability to challenge India. The team is making a new beginning under the leadership of new head coach Richard Pybus. Experienced batsman Rahmat Shah has returned along with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. Although star spinner Rashid Khan is not in the team, spinners like Qais Ahmed, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Nangeyalia Kharote can trouble the Indian batsmen.
KL Rahul has a special opportunity
Interestingly, when Afghanistan played its first Test against India in 2018, only KL Rahul is left in the current squad from that Indian team. Rahul has recently performed brilliantly in the IPL and now he would like to continue the same momentum in Test cricket as well.
What did Gambhir say before the match?
Gautam Gambhir said that India will have to prepare better for red-ball cricket. He admitted that the team’s preparation was lacking on the last few foreign tours and there would be more focus on this in the future.
At the same time, Afghanistan coach Richard Pybus demanded ICC to provide more Test matches and said that the development of any new Test team is not possible without regular matches.
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