India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I Playing XI: Who Will Replace Varun Chakaravarthy?

India head into the second T20I with a 1–0 series lead after beating Afghanistan by seven wickets in the opening match. However, the team will have to adjust its combination after Varun Chakaravarthy was ruled out of the remaining Afghanistan T20Is following the side strain he reported after the first match.

The most likely change is in India’s spin department, with Ravi Bishnoi a leading candidate to come into the XI. Washington Sundar is another option if the team management prefers additional batting depth and an all-round balance. The final decision will depend on the combination India want to use at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

India’s batting unit also has an interesting selection question. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened in the first T20I, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was left out despite being Player of the Series against Zimbabwe. With Samson scoring 10 in the opener, the debate over whether India should retain experience or give Sooryavanshi another opportunity remains one of the major talking points before the second match.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look to improve after their top order struggled in the first T20I. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi rescued the innings with a substantial partnership, but Afghanistan ultimately lost by seven wickets after India chased 157 with 38 balls remaining.

The most straightforward change for India is replacing Varun Chakaravarthy. Ravi Bishnoi is the leading option, but the team management also have Washington Sundar available if they want to strengthen the batting and off-spin combination.

The more interesting decision is at the top of the order. Sanju Samson opened alongside Abhishek Sharma in the first T20I, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did not feature. Samson made 10 in the series opener, whereas Abhishek’s explosive 82 off 32 balls and Ishan Kishan’s 42 helped India complete a comfortable chase.

Vaibhav remains an option after his impressive recent performances, but replacing Samson after only one game would represent a significant selection call. India may therefore prefer continuity, particularly with the team already needing to make a change because of Chakaravarthy’s injury.

India’s probable XI is expected to remain largely unchanged from the series opener. The biggest confirmed squad change is the absence of Varun Chakaravarthy, who has been ruled out of the remaining T20Is with a side strain. Ravi Bishnoi is the leading candidate to replace him.

At the top of the order, India have another selection decision to make. Sanju Samson opened with Abhishek Sharma in the first T20I, while Ishan Kishan also made an important contribution during the chase. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains an alternative, but the team could prefer continuity after winning the opening match comfortably.

Afghanistan’s core group is likely to remain unchanged, with Ibrahim Zadran leading the side and Rahmanullah Gurbaz expected to continue behind the stumps. The team will be looking for a much better start after their top order struggled against India’s pace attack in the opening match.

Azmatullah Omarzai remains one of Afghanistan’s most important players after his unbeaten 64 in the first T20I. Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib provide experience in the middle order, while Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman give Afghanistan a formidable spin combination.

For India, the biggest decision is how to replace Varun Chakaravarthy without weakening the overall balance. Ravi Bishnoi provides a direct specialist-spin option, while Washington Sundar could give the team an additional batting option alongside his off-spin.

The top-order decision involving Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also significant. Samson has the experience of international cricket, whereas Sooryavanshi offers an aggressive young batting option. India may prefer to retain Samson after winning the opening match, but the decision remains one to watch.

Afghanistan’s selection focus is more likely to be around execution than wholesale changes. Their experienced spin group gives them a strong middle-overs option, but the team must decide whether its pace combination needs adjustment after India’s top order scored freely in the first T20I.

The first T20I largely worked in India’s favour. Afghanistan were restricted to 156/8 after losing four wickets for 41 runs in the powerplay, while India chased the target in only 13.4 overs. Abhishek Sharma’s 82 off 32 balls and Ishan Kishan’s 42 off 33 provided the biggest batting positives.

The result means India have little reason to make major changes to their batting combination. The one unavoidable adjustment comes in the spin department following Varun Chakaravarthy’s side strain. Ravi Bishnoi is therefore expected to receive a greater role in the second match.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, need to address their slow and vulnerable start. Their recovery through Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi produced a respectable total, but losing four wickets inside the powerplay left them under pressure for the remainder of the innings.

The biggest update from the Indian camp is the absence of Varun Chakaravarthy. The spinner has been ruled out of the remaining Afghanistan T20Is with a side strain, leaving India to choose between specialist spin and an additional all-round option.

Ravi Bishnoi is the leading candidate to replace Chakaravarthy, although Washington Sundar remains available as another option. India’s final combination will depend on how the team management balances bowling variety with batting depth.

Another selection point is the availability of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. After his impressive recent performances, the young batter remains in contention, but India could retain Sanju Samson after using him at the top in the first T20I.

Afghanistan have fewer obvious selection changes to make. Their priority is improving the top-order performance after the early collapse in the first T20I. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi demonstrated their ability to rebuild the innings, while Rashid Khan remains central to Afghanistan’s bowling plans.

For India, Ravi Bishnoi is the leading candidate to replace Varun Chakaravarthy. The specialist leg-spinner offers the most direct replacement in the bowling department, although Washington Sundar remains an alternative if India prefer a different balance.

The other major question is the top-order combination. Sanju Samson opened in the first T20I, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was not selected. With India already having won the opener comfortably, retaining Samson would provide continuity, but the final decision will be closely watched.

Afghanistan have a more settled-looking combination built around Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan. Their selection challenge is less about replacing key players and more about finding a combination that can prevent another early batting collapse.

• BCCI – India’s Squad for Afghanistan T20I Series
• BCCI – Yash Thakur replaces Harshit Rana in India’s T20I squad
• ICC – Abhishek Sharma after his match-winning first T20I performance
• Reuters – India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the 1st T20I
• The Indian Express – Varun Chakaravarthy injury and replacement update

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