India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I: PCA Stadium Mohali Pitch Report, Weather Forecast, Stats & Record

Team India set for final T20I assignment before the T20 World Cup 2024 in June as Men in Blue face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series, starting with the first T20I at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Thursday (January 11).

Rohit Sharma returns to the T20 fold for the first time since 2022 T20 World Cup exit to lead the Indian side, while youngster Ibrahim Zadran will lead a full-strength Afghanistan side.

PCA Stadium, Mohali Pitch Report, Weather Forecast & T20 stats ahead of India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I

This will be the first T20I series between India and Afghanistan. But the two sides have crossed paths several times in the shortest format earlier in the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup.

The series will act as a platform for selectors to get an idea on the potential squad for the T20 World Cup in USA and West Indies before the first half of IPL 2024 gives a clear picture on players fitness and availability.

Apart from skipper Rohit, the hosts have also welcomed back senior batter Virat Kohli in the squad that will miss the services of Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Burmah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami among others.

The visitors, meanwhile, have named a strong squad that includes the likes of Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mujeeb Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Naveen-ul-Haq among others.

The two sides will clash for the first time at the PCA Stadium in Mohali, where the hosts hold a 3-1 record, losing only their most recent T20 encounter to Australia in 2022.

The visitors have never played at the venue, but have some players who played there during their IPL stints. Here is a look at the PCA Stadium T20I Stats, Record, Pitch Report and Mohali Weather Forecast:

Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali Info

Founded: 1993
Seating Capacity: 27,000
Ends: Yuvraj Singh End and Harbhajan Singh End
Number of international matches hosted: 14 Tests, 26 ODIs and 6 T20Is

PCA Stadium Mohali Pitch Report

The PCA Stadium is regarded as a batter's paradise, but the wickets have also offered early assistance to pacers and helped spinners as the game progresses. But in T20, the wicket is expected to remain same for most of the match with dew factor likely to come into play later.

The most recent T20I at the venue saw Australia chase down a score of 209. The average first innings score of 183 also is a testament to the batting friendly nature of the pitches in Mohali.

Also, the overall record at the venue indicates that the team chasing has had the most success, having won 4 times in T20I as opposed to 2 times when batting first. Expect another run-feast in Mohali on Thursday (January 11). But will dew or weather have an impact?

Mohali Weather Forecast on January 11

It is expected to be a pretty cold evening in Mohali on Thursday (January 11) with max temperature expected to be 14° C, reducing to as low as 9° C at the closing stages. There is no threat of rain on the matchday or in the lead up to the match. So, expect an uninterrupted match.

PCA Stadium T20I Stats and Record

Matches: 6
India Won: 3
Visiting Team Won: 1
Neutral Team Won: 2
Matches Won Batting 1st: 2
Matches Won Batting 2nd: 4
Highest Team Total: 211/4 by India vs Sri Lanka in 2009 | 211/6 by Australia vs India in 2022
Lowest Team Total: 149/5 by South Africa vs India in 2019
Highest Successful Chase: 211/6 by Australia vs India in 2022
Lowest Total Defended: 180/5 by Afghanistan vs West Indies in 1996
Average 1st Innings Score: 183
Highest Individual Score: Virat Kohli (India) - 82 not out vs Australia in 2016
Best Bowling Innings: James Faulkner (Australia) - 5 for 27 vs Pakistan in 2016
Most Runs (Current & All Time): Virat Kohli (India) - 156 runs in 3 innings
Most Wickets (All Time): Harbhajan Singh (India) - 11 wickets in 6 matches
Most Wickets (Current): Jasprit Bumrah (India) - 7 wickets in 3 matches
Total Sixes: 75 Sixes
Most Sixes: Yuvraj Singh (India) - 6 sixes
Total Fours: 195 Fours
Most Fours: Sharjeel Khan (Pakistan) - 14 fours
Total Fifties: 11 Fifties
Most Fifties: Virat Kohli – 2 Fifties