India vs Afghanistan: 3 Problems India might face against Afghanistan 

Afghanistan will play their first ever Test match against India from 14 June at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. It will be a historic Test match considering that Afghanistan is making their debut in Test Cricket. Even though India’s regular Test captain Virat Kohli is not available, it will be a game to look out for as Afghanistan can give India a fight in the one-off Test. Ajinkya Rahane will be captaining India for the second time in a Test match as he did so against Australia in Dharamshala in 2017.

Interestingly, Dinesh Karthik is making a Test comeback after 8 years as he has replaced the injured Wriddhiman Saha. Afghanistan have really talented spinners and thus, India will have to think twice if they are planning to make a square turner. Even though India start as favourites, they might face some problems in the match.

Let’s have a look at 3 such problems.

#3 Who will be the Openers?

Dhawan or Rahul - Who will be the 2nd opener?

India is spoiled for choice when it comes to the selection of the two openers. India are the no.1 Test side in the ICC Test rankings but still don’t have their opening combination settled. One of KL Rahul or Shikhar Dhawan might have to face the axe as Murali Vijay looks like one of the openers. He has been consistent for India over the years, even in overseas conditions and so he will definitely be picked in the starting XI.

The second choice would be difficult as both of them didn’t perform well in South Africa in the Tests. Dhawan played only the first Test match whereas Rahul played the other two. However, both of them did pretty well in the IPL so that makes the pick even more difficult. India will have to solve this problem before leaving for England or else India’s opening combination will keep failing in England as well.

#2 Dinesh Karthik – A Test Comeback

Dinesh Karthik last played a Test match in 2010

Does anybody even remember when DK played his last Test match for India? It was way back in 2010 against Bangladesh. Since then, he hasn’t played a single Test match for India over the years. Every time when Saha got injured, the selectors choose Parthiv Patel, but this time they have gone for DK over Parthiv.

It isn’t a big surprise considering his form with the bat. However, another problem which Karthik can create is, if he scores well in this Test, then he will be a tempting option for the England tour, considering that he has done well in England in 2007. He might even be preferred over Saha in England if Saha doesn’t score well with the bat.

But currently, it is going to be a huge challenge for DK as he is going to play Test cricket after 8 years.

#1 Rashid Khan – The Major Threat

Rashid Khan will remain a threat even in Test Matches

Looking at his current form, Rashid Khan has to be the major threat for India in this one-off Test. Many leg-spinners don’t do well in the longest format but Rashid is a different kind of leg-spinner and he can surely prosper in this format.

What separates him from the other leg-spinners is that majority of his wickets in the T20 format are LBW or bowled. That is a clear indication that his balls are not being picked by the batsmen. In his IPL career so far, 63.1% of his dismissals are bowled or LBW.

The batsmen are getting out to him even while defending. KL Rahul struggled against him in this IPL season as he got out to him both the times they played against each other.

In the seven games that were played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the pitch definitely helped the spinners. If the pitch remains the same in the Test as well, then he can become even more dangerous. He can single-handedly run through sides on his day.

India will be hoping that he just has a bad day or else, they could be at the receiving end of his wrath.