Afghanistan leg-spinners Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan made a big statement during a comprehensive 45-run win over Bangladesh in the first T20 in Dehradun on Sunday.
Mujeeb was playing his first match after returning from a hand injury that kept him out of the final stages of the IPL where he had picked up 14 wickets for Kings XI Punjab, while Rashid was looking to continue his fine form which saw him snare 21 wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Both leg-spinners were in top form against the Tigers as they bowled the ‘visitors’ out for 122 in 19 overs in their new ‘home’ ground of Dehradun.
Mujeeb dismissed opener Tamim Iqbal lbw off the first ball of the innings and finished with 1-20 while Rashid was nearly unplayable, picking up 3-13 from three overs.
I'd be surprised if @rashidkhan_19 doesn't take a 5-fer in his debut Test vs India. This despite the Indians playing him in the IPL.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 31, 2018
The Indian team management will have a lot on their plate as they formulate a plan to tackle the spinners who will be the main threat when the two teams clash in Afghanistan’s inaugural Test in Bengaluru on June 14.
India will be without regular captain Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. The Indians will be led by Ajinkya Rahane who is more comfortable against pace than spin, which means a big chunk of India’s batting will find the going tough.
Moreover, Rashid and Mujeeb dismissed India’s premier batsmen through classic Test dismissals during the IPL. Both spinners bowled Kohli through the gate while KL Rahul and MS Dhoni also lost their woodwork to clever bowling from Rashid. The three are some of the best players of spin so expect the pressure to intensify when they have the red ball in hand.
