The ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 is all set for Match 9 between India and Afghanistan, which will take place on Wednesday, October 11 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. India is led by Rohit Sharma, while Afghanistan is captained by Hashmatullah Shahidi.
As of now, 3 ODI matches have been played between India and Afghanistan, in which Pakistan has won 2 matches while Afghanistan has won 1 match. The Indian team is currently ranked one, while the Afghan team is ranked ninth in the ICC ODI rankings.
Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: India vs Afghanistan 3 Key Player Battles to Watch Out in Today Match
Here are top five players to watch out during India vs Afghanistan, 9th Match ICC ODI World Cup 2023:
1) Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli had an outstanding start to the tournament, scoring a brilliant 85 against Australia on a challenging batting pitch. Kohli showcased his class by rotating the strike effectively and playing lovely shots against both pacers and spinners. He will be eager to continue his excellent form, especially at his home ground, and maintain the pressure on Afghanistan’s relatively inexperienced bowlers.
2) Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz had a decent outing in Afghanistan’s first match. He displayed good touch and put pressure on the opposition with positive strokes while keeping the scoreboard ticking. Gurbaz’s role is crucial in providing a strong start against India’s high-quality bowling attack. Playing his first One-Day International against India, he will aim to make a significant impact with an aggressive knock.
3) Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav looked in excellent rhythm as he claimed two wickets in India’s opening match against Australia. His breakthroughs, including dismissing David Warner and Glenn Maxwell, created pressure on the opposition. Kuldeep’s proficiency during the middle overs in taking wickets and restricting scoring will be essential in ensuring that Afghanistan’s batsmen do not hit big shots. India will rely on him to maintain pressure on the Afghan batters.
4) Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan had a relatively ordinary performance against Bangladesh in Dharamshala. His figures of 0 for 48 in nine overs highlighted his struggles in the One-Day International format. With just two ODI matches under his belt and three wickets to his name, Rashid Khan needs to regain his form. He will play a pivotal role in the middle overs, aiming to take wickets and control the run rate by using his variations effectively.
5) KL Rahul
KL Rahul delivered a sensational match-winning performance against Australia in Chennai. With India in deep trouble at 2 for 3, Rahul exhibited his class by adapting to the situation and keeping the momentum going. He remained unbeaten on 97 and secured the victory for India. KL Rahul has a history of scoring runs against Afghanistan in ODIs and will look to continue his superb form in the upcoming match to ensure a comfortable win for India.