Kite-Flying Fun: Indian Cricketers Gear Up for T20I Series Against Afghanistan

Kite War Before the T20I Series

Ahead of the first T20I match in the three-game series against Afghanistan, Indian players Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube engaged in a light-hearted kite-flying competition. The series is set to commence on Sunday, September 13, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

The team, led by captain Shreyas Iyer, included players like Abhishek Sharma, who participated in the inaugural Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup, along with Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, and Axar Patel. They held their first practice session on Thursday, September 10, under the guidance of the coaching staff led by Gautam Gambhir.

Following the Duleep Trophy Final, where East Zone triumphed over South Zone, players Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma joined the Indian squad. Additionally, Yash Thakur has stepped in for the injured Harshit Rana ahead of the T20I matches against Afghanistan.

Abhishek's Playful Banter with Dube Goes Viral

As the Indian team gears up for the T20I series against Afghanistan, Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube took a break from their rigorous training to enjoy a kite-flying session.

After their practice in New Delhi, the two cricketers engaged in a friendly competition, showcasing their skills in kite flying. Abhishek emerged victorious in this playful contest.

In a humorous moment, Abhishek teased Dube, claiming that "Bombay is years behind" in kite flying, asserting that the skill is a natural talent for those from Punjab. He remarked, "Bombay is still years behind when it comes to kite flying. It's going to take them years to catch up; this is a skill honed since our childhood."

The kite-flying event has quickly gained attention, reflecting the fun and relaxed atmosphere within the Indian squad as they prepare for the series opener.

India's Unique Role in the Upcoming Series

In an interesting twist for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, Team India will play as the visiting team despite being on home ground. This arrangement is due to the bilateral scheduling and hosting rights.

Afghanistan has been officially designated as the host nation for this three-match series, meaning that official scoreboards will list Afghanistan as the hosting board, even though the matches will be played in front of enthusiastic Indian fans in New Delhi.

The BCCI has been instrumental in facilitating this arrangement, supporting the development of Afghan cricket and enhancing the cricketing ties between the two nations. Notably, Afghanistan is the first team to host a series on Indian soil.

Moreover, Team India will use the visiting team dressing room instead of their usual home facilities, marking a unique operational aspect for a team playing at home while officially recognized as the visiting side.