CWC 2023: Indian team arrives in Delhi ahead of clash against Afghanistan

India opened their campaign with a 6-wicket victory against Australia on Sunday. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli came to the rescue after India stumbled thrice in the first 10 overs. Their partnership laid the foundation for success while chasing a target of 200.

New Delhi: The Indian men’s cricket team arrived in Delhi on Monday ahead of their second World Cup clash against Afghanistan.

India opened their campaign with a 6-wicket victory against Australia on Sunday. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli came to the rescue after India stumbled thrice in the first 10 overs. Their partnership laid the foundation for success while chasing a target of 200.

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India’s rising youngster Shubman Gill will once again miss the game as he continues to suffer from illness.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier on Monday confirmed that Gill will stay in Chennai and will not travel with the squad for the Men in Blue’s next World Cup clash against Afghanistan.

“Team India batter Shubman Gill will not be travelling with the team to Delhi on 9th October 2023. The opening batter who missed the team’s first fixture in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 against Australia in Chennai is set to miss the team’s next fixture against Afghanistan in Delhi on the 11th of October. He will stay back in Chennai and will be under the supervision of the medical team,” BCCI said in a statement.

In Shubman Gill’s absence, India is likely to stick with the same playing XI that they named in the World Cup campaign opener against Australia.

Ishan Kishan will be the most viable option to open alongside skipper Rohit Sharma. India will face Afghanistan on Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav.