ICC CWC'19: Key players to watch in India-Afghanistan clash
Both the teams possess players who have the ability to get their team over the line single-handedly.
New Delhi: In-form India are flying high in the ongoing World Cup and will look for another sparkling victory on June 22, when they compete against Afghanistan at Rose Bowl Cricket Ground, Southampton, UK.
India have not suffered even a single defeat in the premier tournament so far and will aim to continue their sublime form against Afghanistan. Whereas, Afghanistan have been on an abysmal run in the tournament as they have utterly failed to register even a single win so far in the competition.
Therefore, Afghanistan will have to make strenuous efforts to overpower India.
Both the teams possess players who have the ability to get their team over the line single-handedly. It will, therefore, be interesting to watch whether the match undergoes as anticipated or Afghanistan will manage to stun everyone with a win over unbeaten India.
Here is a list of key players in the match between India and Afghanistan:
Virat Kohli
India skipper Virat Kohli, who tops the ICC Men's ODI batting ranking, led India to three victories from four matches as their clash against New Zealand got abandoned to due rain. Kohli has amassed 177 runs so far in the tournament which includes two half-centuries. However, the 30-year-old is yet to score his century in the tournament. It will be exciting to see whether Kohli will be able to rack up 100 plus score against Afghanistan.
Jasprit Bumrah
Apart from having number ODI batsman, India also have the number one ODI bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, who has been on an astounding from. Bumrah has the ability to hinder opposition's batting attack and he invigorates India's bowling attack. The 25-year-old has been a crucial bowler for India during death overs. Bumrah played a pivotal role during India's victory in their opening match against South Africa as he conceded just 35 runs from his 10 overs and took two wickets.
Rashid Khan
Although Rashid Khan bowled a forgettable spell against England, he has the skills to thwart any team's batting line-up. During the match against England, he conceded 110 runs in nine overs but he is the same bowler who gave away just 17 runs from 7.5 overs he bowled against Sri Lanka and even took two wickets. Khan also shined in the Indian Premier League 2019, where he took 17 wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Hashmatullah Shahidi
Hashmatullah Shahidi has displayed a scintillating performance in this edition of the premier tournament as he is the only batsmen from Afghanistan side who has managed to score two half-centuries. Although Afghanistan faced an embarrassing 150-run defeat at the hands of England, Shahidi played a brilliant knock of 76 runs. If Shahidi delivered a similar inning against India, he can put pressure on India's bowlers.