India vs. Afghanistan: Final ODI Preview in Chennai
India has already claimed victory in the ODI series against Afghanistan, winning the first two matches in Dharamsala and Lucknow. The final match, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, may not hold significant stakes, but there are still intriguing storylines to follow.
One player to watch is Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is eager to establish himself in the Indian team. After a six-month break from the ODI format, he returned to the lineup in Lucknow, stepping in as Rohit Sharma took a rest. With Shubman Gill moving to No. 3 and Ishan Kishan batting at No. 4, Jaiswal had a promising opportunity at the top of the order.
Unfortunately, his performance was short-lived as he scored just four runs before getting out to Mohammad Saleem. For the 24-year-old, who aims to secure a permanent spot in the team, this was a disappointing setback.
With only one match left in the series, Jaiswal’s chances to impress the selectors are dwindling. A strong performance in Chennai could bolster his case for future selections, but another poor display might complicate his path, as competition for the top order remains fierce.
Competition for Jaiswal
The challenge for Jaiswal isn’t about his talent but rather the depth of India’s batting lineup. Had Virat Kohli been part of the squad, Jaiswal might have faced an even longer wait for his chance. With Kohli likely to return soon and Shubman Gill expected to go back to the opening slot with Rohit Sharma, this final ODI is crucial for Jaiswal.
India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, noted that due to the quality of players available, Jaiswal has had to be patient. While the team’s success is the main goal, individual players on the fringes must make the most of their opportunities. He emphasized that strong performances are essential in this tough climate of competition.
Changes Expected in Team
As the final ODI approaches, there’s a buzz around India’s team selection since they have already won the series. Coach Ten Doeschate confirmed that changes will be made, with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy expected to return after missing the last match due to a thigh injury.
The team plans to manage workloads, with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh likely to rest. Ten Doeschate explained that experimenting with different combinations has been a part of the strategy in this series.
Can Afghanistan Make a Comeback?
For Afghanistan, their batting struggles have been a major concern, with repeated collapses in performance. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi emphasized that his batters need to take more responsibility and apply pressure on Indian bowlers.
Following a disappointing outing in Dharamsala, where they were bowled out for 232 while chasing a massive target, the Afghan team now has a chance to play with less pressure, aiming to perform as a unit for the full 50 overs.
Afghanistan’s fielding coach, John Mooney, addressed the team’s need for discipline and stability in their batting. He stressed the importance of avoiding losing wickets in clusters.
Historically, Afghanistan has not beaten India in any international format, but they have displayed moments of promise during this tour.
Chennai Pitch and Weather Conditions
Chennai has a reputation for being a batting-friendly venue, with an average first-innings score of around 260. While teams generally prefer to bat first and set a target, the pitch tends to slow down later in the game, favoring spinners.
There is a potential for rain during the match, with cloudy skies and thunderstorms expected, so interruptions might occur. The temperature is likely to hover around 32°C, with humidity at about 70%.
Predicted Playing XIs
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Darwish Rasooli, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Bilal Sami
As India aims for a clean sweep in the series, excitement builds about how both teams will perform in what promises to be an entertaining match.
