Aakash Chopra Predicts IND Playing XI for India vs Afghanistan 1st T20, excludes Ravi Bishnoi

In the lead-up to the first T20I between India and Afghanistan in Mohali on 11 January, former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has shared his insights on the possible playing XI for the Indian team. With Virat Kohli opting out of the series opener, Chopra speculates on the batting order and the composition of the bowling lineup.

IND Playing XI for India vs Afghanistan 1st T20

1. Rohit Sharma
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill/Tilak Varma 
4. Sanju Samson/Shivam Dube
5. Rinku Singh
6. Jitesh Sharma
7. Axar Patel
8. Kuldeep Yadav
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Avesh Khan
11. Mukesh Kumar

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Chopra begins by addressing the absence of Kohli and the potential reshuffling in the batting order. According to him, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are likely to open the innings, leaving a question mark at the crucial No. 3 position. Chopra suggests that Shubman Gill might take Kohli’s place at No. 3 but also raises the possibility of Tilak Varma being considered for the role.

The former opener contemplates various batting combinations, including the inclusion of Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Sanju Samson in the middle order. He emphasizes the potential abundance of left-handers in the top six if Shivam Dube is chosen over Samson, presenting different lineup scenarios for the team management to consider.

Moving on to the bowling department, Chopra anticipates the inclusion of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav as the spinners in the playing XI. Despite having Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi as additional spin options in the squad, Chopra believes that Axar’s recent performances make him a sure-shot selection.

Chopra expresses his skepticism about Washington Sundar’s inclusion, citing the likelihood of him not making it to the final XI. He proposes the idea of playing Axar Patel at No. 7, which would necessitate a spinner at No. 8, and Kuldeep Yadav could fill that role.

Considering the playing conditions in Mohali, where dew could play a significant factor, Chopra predicts the inclusion of three fast bowlers – Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar – in the lineup. He suggests that the seamers might get the nod over the spinners due to the potential difficulty in gripping the ball under dewy conditions.

As the cricketing world awaits the first T20I clash between India and Afghanistan, the final playing XI will be a crucial decision for the Indian team management, and Aakash Chopra’s insights provide a glimpse into the strategic considerations at play.