India are up against Afghanistan in a do-or-die game in Abu Dhabi. Afghanistan skipper Mohammad Nabi won the toss and opted to bowl first. India, meanwhile, have made two changes in the playing XI for the game. While Suryakumar Yadav returns, Ravichandran Ashwin has been included in the XI given that the Abu Dhabi pitch helps the spinners.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli at the toss spoke about treating this game as a must-win game and focus on this particular game. He also spoke about the need for the team to adjust to the conditions and get over the line in this game.
“Firstly there’s no denying the fact that the situation is a tricky one. Having said that there’s still a chance. We as a team will look at the chance and try to play positive cricket. We know we haven’t played up to potential whatever the reasons might be – need to brush that aside. Would have bowled first. But it’s not a bad thing against a side like Afghanistan who look to put up runs on the board. Couple of changes – Surya is back as he’s fit. Ashwin replaces Varun who has a bit of a niggle” said Kohli at the toss.
Meanwhile, the Indian team was hugely criticised for not playing to their potential in the first two games. Cricket experts all around the word asked the Indian team to change the template in which they have played the tournament so far. He is playing his first T20I for India since playing his last in July 2017.
This is how Twitter sees the return of Ravichandran Ashwin
"Varun is out due to a niggle and so Ashwin is playing"
If there were any doubts about Kohli's personal issues with Ashwin, he just made it clear.
Also shows how arrogant and stubborn Kohli is.#INDvsAFG#Kohli #ashwin— Sushant Bodke (@bodkesushant) November 3, 2021
भारत की टीम में आज दो बदलाव;
'ये भूल जाना चाहिए कि टॉस का कोई महत्त्व है' : हरभजन सिंह (@harbhajan_singh) | @vikrantgupta73#T20WorldCup #TeamIndia #INDvsAFG pic.twitter.com/hP0OPMhQ0L— AajTak (@aajtak) November 3, 2021
Customary that India will lose the toss! Varun has an injury so finally Ashwin! Surya back.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) November 3, 2021
Us after hearing the team news 😋#INDvAFG #TeamIndia #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/n4rRZz46Ao
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) November 3, 2021
4 years and 4 months 🗓️
It's been a long time since Ravichandran Ashwin played for India in a T20I. https://t.co/cKDFkvvhhT | #INDvAFG | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/8OLdXdJlkE
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 3, 2021
In 4.5 years Team India have come a full circle. From playing Ashwin-Jadeja for a long time , moved to KULCHA and now back to Ashwin-Jadeja. #INDvsAFG
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) November 3, 2021
Ravichandran Ashwin is making his first white ball appearance since 2⃣0⃣1⃣7⃣
The Master is ready to weave his magic 💙✨#INDvAFG #TeamIndia #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/MFJtkn8uB3
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) November 3, 2021
There should be Cap Ceremony for #Ashwin as He's back in the White Ball Squad after this Long Time!
— The Analyzer (@Indian_Analyzer) November 3, 2021
Finally #ashwin gets to play. What promoted this change of heart sir @MinhazMerchant https://t.co/o9FZklfgKr
— Anant Sharma 🇮🇳 (@anant1970) November 3, 2021
Ashwin’s inclusion is certainly an aggressive step towards changing the fortunes of the team before things go out of hand. He was not included in the team despite the conditions playing into this hands.
India’s Playing XI Against Afghanistan
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
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