India’ stand-in Test skipper Ajinkya Rahane considers himself privileged to be a part of a historic first Test match against Afghanistan.
According to one of the recent ICC releases, Rahne said, “It’s a privilege to be playing in Afghanistan’s first Test match. It’s a historic moment for them and an opportunity for us to be part of the occasion. They have a fine team and some talented players, who have proved themselves in shorter formats. I am sure they are looking forward to doing the same in Test cricket. On behalf of the Indian team, I wish them all the best.”
The Indian team will be missing the services of the regular skipper Virat Kohli for this Test but the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara (sixth), Rahane (18th) and opener Lokesh Rahul (19th) in batting and former top-ranked spinners Ravindra Jadeja (fourth) and Ravichandran Ashwin (fifth) among bowlers will be looking to improve their positions on the ICC Test Player Rankings.
Afghanistan team has made a mark of themselves in the shorter formats and now they will become the 12th side to figure in men’s Test cricket after Ireland debuted against Pakistan last month. Both Ireland and Afghanistan were granted Full Member and Test status last June.
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Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai said: It’s a great moment for us as we embark on our Test journey. To be playing our first Test against India is a great honor and we hope to give a good account of ourselves. To be competing against the best on the Test rankings table is something to be proud of and we will try to do our best in whatever chances we get and exhibit the skills the players possess individually as well as collectively as a team.”
The one-off Test against India will be Afghanistan’s inaugural match in the longest format of the game it will be a chance for their gifted players to enter the individual rankings after making a mark in limited overs cricket.
Team India will lose three points if they lose this match but their number-one position is under no threat, thanks to a 13-point lead over South Africa. Afghanistan’s spinners will be in focus as Rashid Khan (top-ranked in T20Is, second in ODIs) and Mohammad Nabi (eighth in T20Is, 16th in ODIs) look to make a mark in Test cricket.
