New Delhi: The Indian cricket team, while taking the field at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru for their final T20 International match before the ICC T20 World Cup later in June this year, will have only one thing in mind, i.e., to get themselves some much-needed momentum before the start of the World Cup.
India already has an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series but will be looking to pack the perfect score with a win in the last match of the series.
India defeated Afghanistan while batting second in both matches and with six wickets to spare both times.
#TeamIndia win the 2nd T20I by 6 wickets, take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series.
Scorecard – https://t.co/CWSAhSZc45 #INDvAFG@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/OQ10nOPFs7
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2024
However, the Afghanistan cricket team has proven to be a tough competition in the past and will be looking to get a win in the final match of the series and go back home with some much-needed confidence boost before the T20 World Cup.
Batters on centre stage
In both the matches so far, India and Afghanistan have been heavily dependable on their batting line-up for the win.
While Afghanistan’s top order has disappointed them heavily, their middle order has performed extremely well in the series, with Mohammed Nabi in the first match and Gulbadin Naib in the second match playing a crucial knock for their team.
2nd T20i career fifty for Gulbadin Naib
Fifty in just 28 balls 💥 Well Played ⚡️#INDvAFG #INDvsAFG #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/xws9coB1bV
— TCTV Cricket (@tctv1offl) January 14, 2024
However, the top order of Afghanistan has to step in the final game and has to give their team an aggressive start in the innings if they want to win the match.
On the other hand, the men in blue, riding on the form of their young batters, especially Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal, have looked like a force to reckon with in the entire series.
Up, Up and Away!
Three consecutive monstrous SIXES from Shivam Dube 🔥 🔥🔥#INDvAFG @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/3y40S3ctUW
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2024
However, the men in blue will need their big guns, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, to get some much needed runs under their belt before the T20 World Cup.
Bowlers have to be constant
One thing that has been missing from both the Indian and Afghani teams is consistency in their bowling, as, despite a great start and early wickets, they fail to register the final blow to end the innings.
Two quick wickets here, courtesy Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, who strike in their first overs.
Live – https://t.co/YswzeUSqkf #INDvAFG@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/5LnKTH6Ngg
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2024
The bowlers from both teams need to back themselves up and bowl with perfect line and length in order to get the W in the final match of the series.