ICC World Cup 2019: Match 28, India vs Afghanistan, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

Bhuvneshwar Kumar won't play the game due to a sore hamstring.

Published - 21 Jun 2019, 09:12 IST | Updated - 21 Jun 2019, 09:12 IST

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India may be placed fourth in the points table of the 2019 World Cup but is one among the two teams yet to taste defeat in the mega event. Moreover, the side, captained by Virat Kohli, has as many as five matches ahead of them. After winning the previous match against Pakistan by 89 runs (DLS Method), India must be oozing confidence and is next scheduled to face Afghanistan tomorrow in Southampton.

The Indians would be accustomed to the pitch at the Rose Bowl as they beat South Africa here by six wickets. On the other hand, the Afghans are yet to win a match in the championship, having lost all their five matches. Moreover, some off-field activities and some controversial exclusions haven’t helped their cause either. Last year, Afghanistan tied an ODI versus India and they can take heart from that match.

Weather Report

The weather for tomorrow doesn’t have any forecast of a downpour. Clouds will be there, but it won’t be much of a concern by any means. The sun will be out most part of the day. The temperature will be in between 16 and 19 degrees Celsius. The humidity won’t be high with the numbers in the 50s.

Pitch Report

The pitch in Southampton has been a decent one for batting and with the sun out, bowlers will have to work out of their skins. But the deck has offered pace and bounce to the pacers and hence, making inroads with the new leather becomes that much more important. The strip gets batting-friendly as the game moves on and hence, teams should opt to field first after winning the toss.

Playing combinations

India

India is likely to bring in Mohammed Shami for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The latter won’t be a part of the game due to a hamstring injury, which he developed in the previous match. KL Rahul did an excellent job versus Pakistan, opening the batting and the 26-year-old will want to get another decent knock under his belt. Skipper Kohli and Rohit Sharma are also amongst the runs.

Hardik Pandya can again be promoted if the Men in Blue get off to a flier. MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav will also have a role to play, the team will want them to have a go and get some runs under the belt. Vijay Shankar got hit on the toe during the net-session, but he’s expected to be fit. Kuldeep Yadav got his rhythm back in the previous match and his role will be extremely crucial. Jasprit Bumrah has been picking up wickets as well.

Probable XI

KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni, Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

Afghanistan

The Afghans may bring in Hazratullah Zazai, who didn’t play the last game. In that case, the axe may come down on Noor Ali Zadran, who got a duck last time around. Skipper Gulbadin promoted himself up the order and it worked well for him as he scored 37 off 28. The captain also got three wickets, though they came when the batsmen were looking to go big in the death overs.

After a few failures, Rahmat Shah got amongst the runs. Hashmatullah Shahidi has been Afghans’ best batsman, having scored 165 with a couple of half-centuries. Mujeeb Ur Rahman didn’t pick up a wicket versus the Brits, but his accuracy didn’t allow the batters to get away. Rashid Khan would be keen to park outside the disappointment of the last game and come out all guns blazing.

Probable XI

Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib (C), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman