India and Afghanistan will compete in a set of three T20I matches. This series is the last one before June’s T20 World Cup. The series’ first game is set for Thursday, January 11, in Mohali.
After 14 months, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back in India’s T20I. Hard luck though, team ‘Men in Blue’ won’t have all-rounder Hardik Pandya and champion Suryakumar Yadav. They’re injured. Plus, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are taking a break.
Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh Khan might shine before the T20 World Cup. The spinners, Ravi Bishnoi and Kuldeep Yadav, will aim to deliver their best.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan will be without their captain Rashid Khan in the inaugural game due to an injury. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman is now included and will work on the spin alongside Noor Ahmad. Additionally, Fazalhaq Farooqi, a left-arm fast bowler, will lead the pace team.
So, let’s spotlight three players with high potential for taking the most wickets in India vs Afghanistan T20Is.
1. Arshdeep Singh
The youthful left-arm bowler had a reputation for hitting yorkers with abandon when he joined the international team. Arshdeep Singh, nevertheless, lost his rhythm and was benched for a few games before being selected once again.
The cricketer hailing from Punjab is gradually finding his groove again. His latest series against South Africa is proof of this. Arshdeep grabbed 10 wickets across three ODIs competing with the Proteas.
He sets his sights on maintaining this pace. His goal is to spearhead India’s speed attack when they face-off against Afghanistan.
2. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman
Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, and Rashid Khan, both known figures in Afghanistan for spin bowling. Mujeeb is recognized for strict line and length, challenging for the Indian batters.
Mujeeb would also be useful because he has a lot of IPL playing experience. In the next series, he should be among the wickets if he can find his groove.
3. Kuldeep Yadav
The performance of the left-arm, leg-spin bowler in the most recent T20I series against South Africa was outstanding. He snagged six wickets in just two games. This tally included a spectacular five-wicket feat in Johannesburg.
In order to guarantee his spot in the T20 World Cup, Kuldeep will want to continue his strong performance against the Afghans. Spinners should benefit from the current circumstances, and Kuldeep Yadav will try to capitalize on them.
At an incredible economy rate of less than six, he took 14 wickets from nine T20Is in 2023, including a five-wicket haul.