Delhi provides a fitting backdrop for Afghanistan’s first-ever international cricket meeting with India in the Indian capital. The Arun Jaitley Stadium, located between the historic areas of New Delhi and Old Delhi, reflects the city’s diverse identity and long history of welcoming people from different communities.  Around 12.5km from the stadium, Lajpat Nagar is home to a large Afghan community. Once established as a refugee colony, the area now features Afghan restaurants, dry-fruit shops, pharmacies and currency exchanges.

On the field, however, Afghanistan will be determined to make India uncomfortable. After a long break from T20I cricket since the February T20 World Cup, the Afghans enter the contest with a largely settled squad and a new captain. They also have an opportunity to secure their first international victory against India. India, meanwhile, return close to full strength after recent setbacks against Ireland and England. Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy are back in the squad, while Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana remain unavailable due to injuries.

Afghanistan will also welcome back experienced pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, who missed the World Cup through injury. Rashid Khan, despite stepping down as captain, remains a key figure in their bowling attack. His impressive IPL record in Delhi, including 3 for 17 against his opponents, will give Afghanistan plenty of confidence. For India captain Shreyas Iyer, the series presents another important challenge.

ALSO READ: Reece Topley Names His All-Time T20I XI Featuring Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah

With Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi competing for opening spots, Iyer faces a difficult selection call. The Arun Jaitley Stadium could also produce a high-scoring contest. Small boundaries and an IPL economy rate of 9.63 runs per over suggest that batters will enjoy favourable conditions, provided early movement from the seamers does not play a major role.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan face a major selection dilemma over their bowling combination. The team must decide whether to play one or two specialist seamers alongside all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai. If they opt for one, Fazalhaq Farooqi and returning pacer Naveen-ul-Haq will compete for the spot. Playing both could mean leaving either Mujeeb Ur Rahman or Noor Ahmad out of the XI.

Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi/ Naveen-ul-Haq

India

India also have several options to consider, particularly in the all-rounder department. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube are all pushing for selection. Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh are expected to lead the specialist bowling attack, but Harshit Rana’s absence has created uncertainty over the No. 8 position.

India could choose a specialist bowler for greater control or back a batting all-rounder who may not be trusted to complete four overs. They used an all-rounder at No. 8 in England but preferred a specialist bowler in Zimbabwe. The decision in Delhi could reveal their preferred combination.

Probable XI: Two out of (Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer (capt), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy