IND vs AFG: Rahul Dravid confirms one change in India playing 11 vs Afghanistan, Chahal also in contention

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IND vs AFG: India head coach Rahul Dravid almost confirmed a change for the team's first Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024 against Afghanistan at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday, June 20.

Speaking to the press on the eve of the match, the former India captain said that Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav could get a chance in the India playing eleven against Afghanistan.

Dravid said conditions were different in the USA where India played all their Group A matches. India can drop Mohammed Siraj to include an extra spinner, or even drop a batter as Barbados pitch is also expected to be a lot more batting friendly.

“It’s tough to leave anyone out. New York had pace bowlers’ conditions. There wasn't huge help for spinners and we also needed the batting depth on those tricky wickets.

"Without giving too much away, certainly it might be slightly different. We might need something different here (in Barbados). Yuzi (Chahal) or Kuldeep (Yadav) could be used here. With their skill and quality they can come into play and that's why they have been picked,” Dravid said.

“We are lucky to have players with all-round abilities. We had eight batters but we (also) had seven bowling options,” he added.

Rahul Dravid also talked about the importance of flexibility in T20I cricket. He said that batting order can be shuffled as per the conditions and matchups.

“Each situation is unique. Can’t set it in stone. I believe in flexibility. The Pakistan game we moved Axar (Patel), specifically thinking around it… Rishabh (Pant) up the order (at No. 3), lots of thinking goes into it. I don’t think in Tests (cricket); we will have that flexibility. In T20s where it is a lot about match-ups, you see it happening more (flexibility in batting position),” Dravid said.

He also praised Afghanistan, calling them a dangerous side who deserve to be in the Super 8. Notably, Afghanistan defeated New Zealand in the group stage and qualified for the Super 8 ahead of them.

“Lovely to come to the Caribbean and play cricket. A couple of practice sessions. We are prepared. Afghanistan are a very dangerous side. Their players play more in leagues than our players. They are not a team to be taken lightly. Deservingly in Super 8,” Dravid said.