India, led by Shubman Gill, chose to bowl first in the rain-delayed first ODI against Afghanistan, introducing debutants Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar. The match, reduced to 25 overs per side, commenced after a delay of over four hours due to rain. With Virat Kohli absent, KL Rahul was placed at number three, and Ishan Kishan returned to take on wicketkeeping duties.
Gill mentioned the favorable bowling conditions due to overcast weather, emphasizing the need to experiment with different combinations ahead of the World Cup. He confirmed the exclusion of Jaiswal, Prince, and Kuldeep from the playing XI. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, expressed readiness for the challenge, highlighting their strategy of three seamers, an all-rounder, and three spinners.
Both teams revealed their playing XIs, with India fielding Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and others, while Afghanistan included Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan, and more in their lineup. The teams geared up for a competitive encounter, with Afghanistan acknowledging the difficulty of facing India in their home conditions.
