India Playing XI vs AFG: No Shubman, Ashwin likely to be dropped for Shami

It’s official, Shubman Gill won’t be available for India vs Afghanistan match in Delhi. He continues to be doubtful for the IND vs PAK clash. In his absence, Ishan Kishan will be in India Playing XI vs Afghanistan on Wednesday. However, India Cricket Team will make another change with Ravichandran Ashwin dropping to the bench for Mohammad Shami in IND vs AFG clash in ICC ODI World Cup in Delhi.

BCCI said in a statement that Shubman Gill, who is suffering from dengue, did not travel with the team to Delhi. He stayed back in Chennai. BCCI Medical Team is monitoring him and whether he is available for the IND vs PAK clash will be taken at a later date.

“Team India batter Shubman Gill will not be travelling with the team to Delhi on 9th October 2023. The opening batter who missed the team’s first fixture in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 against Australia in Chennai is set to miss the team’s next fixture against Afghanistan in Delhi on the 11th of October. He will stay back in Chennai and will be under the supervision of the medical team,” BCCI said in the statement.

For now, focus shifts to IND vs AFG clash on Wednesday. With Gill absent, it clears the way for Ishan Kishan in India Playing XI. Despite a golden duck against Australia, he will open the innings with Rohit Sharma against Afghanistan.

Ashwin out, Shami in

India Cricket Team played with three spinners in Chennai considering the pitch aiding seamers. Ashwin did well to restrict Aussie batters with 1/34 in 10 overs.

However, if South Africa vs Sri Lanka match is anything to go by, Delhi will be a heaven for batters. And that will spell doom for spinners as well. In such a situation, India will be forced to bench Ashwin and bring back Mohammad Shami.

Ravindra Jadeja is an automatic choice in any condition. Kuldeep Yadav who has excelled in Delhi, playing for Delhi Capitals, will be the second spinner. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will continue with Hardik Pandya playing as the fourth seamer option.

Ashwin can only keep his place if a different pitch is used for the IND vs AFG clash. In such a scenario, if the pitch is low and slow like it has been in the case with Delhi in the past, Ashwin will continue to keep Mohammad Shami out.

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What to expect from IND vs AFG clash?

After a fightback win against Australia, Team India are a confident unit.
The pitch has been a heaven for batting with South Africa scoring a record 428 runs against Sri Lanka.
In that match, a total of 754 runs were scored in 94.5 overs.
India will be aiming to continue that reputation of the pitch.
With Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma opening, Virat Kohli will be at No 3 of India Playing XI.
Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97) played superb knocks in a 165-run partnership against Australia.
While it is a homecoming for Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer also made a reputation playing for Delhi Capitals in IPL.
Hence, both will be in good stead along with KL Rahul.
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will be two all-rounders with Kuldeep Yadav making the spin line-up.
Mohammad Siraj, Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will b the three frontline seamers in India Playing XI vs Afghanistan.