Four Wisden India writers pick their India XIs for their must-win clash against Afghanistan

Ahead of their key clash against Afghanistan, four Wisden writers pick their preferred XIs, listing down the changes India should make after their loss at the hands of New Zealand in Dubai.

The fact that the four writers have picked four different XIs goes to show the wide variety of permutations and combinations at play.

Aadya Sharma, Wisden India editor

I’d go with the same top four but reshuffle them further – make Rohit and Rahul open (they really don’t fit elsewhere), and have Kishan at four (middle-order acceleration is a big problem for India). Further down, Pandya bowling is a good sign and gives them more options, even though the overall composition still looks one-dimensional and a bit flat.

While I am usually against frequent chopping in the middle of a tournament, I’d bring in R Ashwin for Varun Chakravarthy, simply because he’s a better wicket-taking prospect upfront and can add a dash of spice and ingenuity that the attack so needs right now. Keep Shardul Thakur – he’s India’s version of the guy who ‘makes things happen’.

XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

Divy Tripathi, Wisden India staff writer

Not many changes to the India side for me. Rohit returns to the opening slot. Having already given him a chance to open, I would like to see Ishan Kishan backed as the other opener. Virat, being an important top-order batter for India, comes in at number three instead of four.

That spot goes to KL Rahul, who has done well at that position in the past.

Given that Hardik Pandya is an option with the ball, I’d like Ravichandran Ashwin to come in place of Mohammed Shami. Ashwin can be an asset with the new ball, and help India get some crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay overs.

XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

Sarah Waris, Wisden India staff writer

I’m not very keen to have Rohit in the line-up, as his current form leaves much to be desired. Ishan is a must as an opener, but the current line-up is affecting the team balance, especially with Rohit down the order. It also isn’t the best idea to have both Kohli and Rohit play against the Afghanistan spinners in the middle order, and so it’s probably best to leave the latter out.

Hardik’s spot is in question too, but he bowled in the last game, which adds an extra option. Shardul was added to add more batting depth, but he isn’t the best batter around, and I would have experience in the form of Ashwin in the XI instead.

XI: Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

Shubham Pandey, Wisden India social manager

It’s time for India to start afresh, even if it means employing a few more changes to remain in the competition. I’d want Rohit to open with Kishan, and KL to bat in the middle overs to counter Afghanistan’s spinners. Further in the middle order, Suryakumar Yadav fits better in place of Hardik Pandya for me – if Surya is fit to play, then he deserves a chance in place of Hardik, who is struggling to accelerate at the death in the way he is known to.

I’d also bring in R Ashwin in place of Chakravarthy: when it comes to skills, there is no match for Ashwin in these conditions, and Varun’s mystery spin is not delivering the goods for India.

Lastly, I’d have Rahul Chahar in place of Shardul Thakur. India will be playing their first game in Abu Dhabi, which is likely to provide extra help for spinners. Chahar was selected ahead of an in-form Yuzvendra Chahal, so he really does deserve a chance to justify his selection.

XI: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav (if fit), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Rahul Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah