WC2023 – Exciting Clash Expected as India Takes on Afghanistan Today; Shubhman Gill Missing Due to Dengue, but India Remains the Favorite
Varad Bhatkhande
New Delhi, 11th October 2023 – In a highly anticipated match, Afghanistan is set to face off against the host nation, India, in the 9th official match of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. This pivotal encounter will take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi later today, and fans around the world are gearing up for a thrilling contest.
Despite missing their talented opener Shubhman Gill due to a recent bout of dengue fever, India remains the clear favorite to win this match. In their last ICC World Cup match, India started their 2023 campaign with a resounding victory against Australia, defeating the Kangaroos by 6 wickets with 52 balls to spare.
On the other hand, Afghanistan faced a tough loss in their opening match against Bangladesh, where the Tigers secured a 6-wicket win with 92 balls left in the game.
India has a notable track record at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, having played 21 ODI matches there. They have emerged victorious in 13 of these contests while suffering defeat in 7, with one match ending without a result.
The last time India and Afghanistan faced off in an ODI World Cup match was during the 2019 edition, where India clinched a nail-biting 11-run victory while defending a relatively low total of 224 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Southampton.
Arun Jaitley Stadium is renowned for its batting-friendly wickets. The relatively small size of the stadium and the pitch characteristics make it conducive to high-scoring matches. This was demonstrated in the most recent game held at the venue, where South Africa posted an enormous score of 428 runs in their 50 overs, although Sri Lanka lost the match by 102 runs, they still managed to accumulate 326.
Both India and Afghanistan may opt for a similar strategy, focusing on strengthening their bowling departments to counter the batting-friendly conditions. Afghanistan, in particular, will look to maximize their advantage with more bowlers in their lineup.
One key player to watch out for is Afghanistan’s spin wizard, Rashid Khan. His tricky spin deliveries have the potential to trouble the Indian batsmen, and India will need to be cautious against his skills.
All signs point to an exciting and high-scoring contest at Arun Jaitley Stadium. With the odds in their favour, India will aim to maintain their winning momentum, while Afghanistan will be determined to upset the host nation and make a statement in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Cricket fans from all over the world can look forward to an enthralling match in the coming hours.
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