Promising Afghans face test against world’s best
Endurance exam for giantkillers in limited overs cricket
BANGALORE: When Afghanistan face India in their inaugural Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, it will be the fruition of a remarkable sporting journey of a strife-torn nation.
A spark lit in the bleak environs of refugee camps in Pakistan has in spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman in particular found the torch-bearers who have carried Afghanistan swiftly to a format still regarded as pinnacle of cricket.
Regardless of how they fare, the newcomers were the least likely of the associates who were expected to make it to the Test
ranks, unlike Ireland, given Test status with them, who were knocking on the doors of ICC.
India, the No 1 Test side, will be without skipper Virat Kohli. However, the significance of the game is not lost on anyone. India has helped Afghanistan make the country their ‘home’, extending all facilities, away from the turmoil back home.
For Afghanistan, it will be a fresh test of fitness, endurance and patience, having made a mark in the limited-overs formats. If their game remains true to the spirit with which they have played white-ball cricket, they will be fearless and won’t be overawed by the occasion.
India will see the match as a way to ease into a fresh season. Led by Ajinkya Rahane, the hosts have rested Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah while keeper Wriddhiman Saha is injured and Mohammed Shami unfit. The priority will be preparing for a long England tour. The match, thus, provides a chance for KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, R Ashwin and Ishant Sharma to put forth their case.
Almost all India players are coming out of IPL-- Cheteshwar Pujara had a quiet time with Yorkshire while M Vijay did not get an IPL game.
Rain disrupted Afghanistan nets on Wednesday and could have a say on the match.