3 players in the India & Afghanistan squads who are playing the 2024 T20 World Cup and also played in 2010 ft. Rohit Sharma
Barring a few minor hiccups, the Indian team looked quite settled and potent in the group stages of the ongoing T20 World Cup. They will now take on a confident Afghanistan in their first Super 8 fixture on Thursday, June 20, at Bridgetown, Barbados.
As far as numbers are concerned, Afghanistan has never beaten India, and they come into the Super 8 after a heavy loss to the West Indies.
Despite this, India will be wary of the threat that Rashid Khan's team possesses. Afghanistan played all their group stage matches in the Caribbean, while India will be playing their first game in the islands.
These are two experienced sides in this format and there are a few players who were part of the 2010 World T20 - also played in the West Indies. We look at three players in the India and Afghanistan squads who are playing in the 2024 T20 World Cup and also played in 2010:
#3 Mohammad Nabi
One of the most experienced players in the tournament, Mohammad Nabi continues to be a strong performer for Afghanistan. An all-rounder who has been with the side since they started playing international cricket, Nabi is still a match-winner in the middle order and can also chip in with his handy off-spin.
Nabi was 25 when Afghanistan last featured in a World T20 in the West Indies back in 2010 and his role has remained the same over the years. His control with the ball and his effectiveness while using the long handle gives his side the perfect balance in this format.
Although, Nabi did not have a memorable 2010 campaign - no runs and one wicket in the two matches played by the side - he will be needed to step up when Afghanistan takes on India in this match.
#2 Ravindra Jadeja
Despite his mediocre numbers in T20 internationals, Ravindra Jadeja has been part of the Indian side since the 2009 ICC World Twenty20. He was a key figure for the side in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 as well and much like Nabi, will continue to play a prominent role for the side in the ongoing edition as well.
Back in 2010, he could score just nine runs and picked up just a couple of wickets. However, he has grown from strength to strength and is one of the most important members of Team India across all three formats.
On pitches that are expected to assist spinners who dart the ball in and use the pitch, Jadeja will be key for Rohit Sharma's side. He has also improved his batting a lot over the years and India will expect their premier all-rounder to bring all his experience to the fore in this stage of the tournament.
#1 Rohit Sharma
India’s captain Rohit Sharma was one of the bright sparks for India in an otherwise shoddy campaign in 2010. In three matches, he scored 84 runs and was one of the batters who took down the Australian pace battery on a pacy track as he smashed an unbeaten 79 off 46 deliveries.
The 23-year-old has not quite aced the format as far as ICC events are concerned, but he looks determined to set the tone early and will be needed to give the side good starts in this business end of the tournament.
Rohit looked good against Ireland and Pakistan and will now want to kick on and make a match-winning impact in what could well be his final ICC campaign in India colors.