India vs Afghanistan – Mohali Showdown

Cricket enthusiasts and fantasy cricket players are in for a treat as India takes on Afghanistan in a thrilling T20 encounter at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali. With key players like Virat Kohli and Rashid Khan missing from the playing XI, fantasy team managers need to carefully strategize their selections for this high-stakes match.

Playing 11 for India vs Afghanistan:

India:

1. Rohit Sharma
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Sanju Samson
4. Tilak Varma
5. Rinku Singh
6. Jitesh Sharma
7. Ashar Patel
8. Avesh Khan
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Ravi Bishnoi
11. Mukesh Kumar

Afghanistan:

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
2. Hazratullah Zazai
3. Usman Ghani Zadran
4. Rahmanullah Shah
5. Najibullah Zadran
6. Mohammad Nabi
7. Afsar Omarzai
8. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
9. Naveen-ul-Haq
10. Noor Ahmad
11. Farooq Haq

Pitch Report:

The Mohali pitch promises an exciting contest between bat and ball. Known as a batting paradise, the average score here is a formidable 183. Pacers can expect good bounce and swing initially, but the pitch also aids stroke making. In the last four matches, pacers have claimed 31 wickets, while spinners have taken 11. Dew could be a factor, and chasing teams have been successful in four out of six T20Is played here. A score around 170-180 is expected, with the potential for more if India bats first.

Fantasy Tips:

Wicketkeeper:

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz is a hit-and-miss player but can be effective during the powerplay. He also provides a valuable keeping backup.
• Sanju Samson is a top-order batsman and can be a trump card, especially if India bats first.

Batsmen:

• Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are aggressive batters, making them good fantasy options, albeit with some risk.
• Tilak Varma is a decent option when India bats first, but Afghanistan’s off-spinners may pose a challenge.
• From Afghanistan, try I Zadran in SL for his technical prowess, while R Shah is a technical player but may not be ideal for this format.
• Hazratullah Zazai can be a gamble in GL due to his hit-and-miss nature.
• Rinku Singh is a worthy pick, especially if India bats first.

All-rounders:

• Afsar Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi are solid choices as they play crucial all-rounder roles.
• Ashar Patel is a safe bet as an all-rounder.

Bowlers:

• Arshdeep Singh, especially at his home ground, is a strong option against inconsistent Afghan openers.
• Naveen-ul-Haq and Farooq Haq are good choices when Afghanistan bowls first.
• Ravi Bishnoi’s recent form makes him a tempting pick for both innings.
• Either Mukesh Kumar or Avesh Khan can be your trump card, especially when India bowls first.
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad may not be safe for SL due to India’s prowess against spin.

With both teams fielding formidable line-ups and the unique challenges of the Mohali pitch, fantasy cricket managers have their work cut out for them. Strategic selections, taking into account the pitch conditions and player forms, will be crucial in this India vs Afghanistan fantasy clash.

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