T20 World Cup 2021, Match 33: India vs Afghanistan – Toss Report

Published - 03 Nov 2021, 07:45 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:00 AM

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The Match 33 of the T20 World Cup will see the clash of India and Afghanistan – two teams with different positions and aims in the event – at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

With two losses in two outings, India are hanging by a thread in the tournament and a loss against Afghanistan will send them packing. Mohammad Nabi’s side, who have 4 points in 3 games with a high net run rate of +3.097, will move closer to the semi-final spot should they manage an upset over the Men In Blue.

It’s a battle of contrasting methodology which both sides play by. India, who are much comfortable chasing rather than setting a total – as seen by their previous two innings – bat in a conservative, traditional approach of getting their eye in before launching an assault in the death. They are, though, still finding their best batting order and a threatening bowling combination.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, have taken a leaf out of West Indies’ book since the last T20 World Cup five years ago. They like to bat in a gung-ho style right from the first over, and then their spinners strangle the opposition under the pressure of a target. Both of their wins so far have come while defending: they blew away Scotland and Nambia by 130 runs and 62 runs respectively, and gave Pakistan their toughest challenge of the tournament.

Although India are 2-0 up over Afghanistan in T20 World Cups, those wins came in 2010 and 2012, and Afghanistan’s rise in the last decade has been nothing short of incredible. Should they manage a victory over the Asian giants on Wednesday, it will be a testament to this upsurge.