India's playing XI from first ever T20I match against Afghanistan in 2010: What are they up to now ?

India and Afghanistan faced each other for the first time in a T20I game was back in 2010.

India and Afghanistan T20I series 2024 will begin from 11th January, Thursday at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Afghanistan will be travelling to India for a bilateral T20I series for the very first time. Afghanistan made their test debut in Bengaluru against India in June 2018. They also played their first-ever ICC tournament game against India at Gros Islet back in May, 2010.

India and Afghanistan were part of group C along with South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2010 which was played in West Indies. They both took on each other in the opening encounter of the group C at Gros Islet on 1st May, 2010. Team India dominated the low-scoring game and won by 7 wickets. Batting first, Afghanistan posted a total of 115 runs in 20 overs and India chased it down in 14.5 overs. Let’s have a look at the players who were part of India’s playing XI in that game and what are they up to now.

1. Gautam Gambhir :

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir was part of India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2010 in West Indies. He played the match against Afghanistan at Gros Islet. Gambhir scored a mere four runs in six balls and he was dismissed by Dawlat Ahmedzai. Gautam Gambhir retired from international cricket in 2018. He is currently part of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL as a mentor. Gambhir joined politics in 2019 and is a member of Bharatiya Janata Party and represents East Delhi in the Lok Sabha.

2. Murali Vijay :

Murali Vijay had the terrific beginning to his international career, He made his T20I debut against Afghanistan at Gros Islet and played a key role in India’s win. Murali Vijay scored 48 runs in 46 balls which included two fours and three huge sixes. Murali Vijay played nine T20I games for India and was discarded from the squad after 2015. Vijay announced his retirement from the game on January 2023 and is part of the commentary panel in Tamil language.

3. Suresh Raina :

ICC T20 World Cup 2010 in West Indies was a memorable one for Suresh Raina as he became the first ever Indian batter to score a century in the T20I format of the game. India were chasing a low score, and Suresh Raina contributed with 18 runs in 13 balls batting at number 3 position. Suresh Raina is currently the brand ambassador of Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) and is part of the Sports 18 broadcast team.

4. Yuvraj Singh :

Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh is currently away from the limelight. Yuvraj is currently spending time with his family in Gurgaon. Yuvraj was part of the Indian squad in the first six ICC T20 World Cups. He played the game against Afghanistan at Gros Islet and scored an unbeaten 23 runs in 22 balls. Yuvraj won the game for India along with skipper MS Dhoni.

5. MS Dhoni (C) & (WK) :

Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni smashed two sixes in his small cameo against Afghanistan at Gros Islet. MS Dhoni didn’t take much time in deciding the fate of the game with his two powerful strikes down the ground. MS Dhoni scored 15 runs in six balls. Dhoni announced his retirement in 2020 and played his last game for India in 2019. He still continues to play in the Indian Premier League and is captaining his side Chennai Super Kings and most probably will be playing his final season in 2024.

6. Yusuf Pathan :

All-rounder Yusuf Pathan was also part of India’s playing XI against Afghanistan in their first ever clash played in T20 World Cup 2010 in West Indies. Yusuf Pathan didn’t get a chance to bat as India’s top-five were enough to chase Afghanistan’s mere total of 115. Pathan bowled one over and conceded 12 runs. Yusuf Pathan announced his international retirement in 2021 but is still playing T20 leagues around the world.

7. Ravindra Jadeja :

Ravindra Jadeja is the only name from that playing XI who is still present in the current Indian team. Ravindra Jadeja is part of Indian playing XI across formats and plays a crucial role for them but won’t be seen playing in the 2024 T20I series against Afghanistan. Ravindra Jadeja bowled a magnificent spell against Afghanistan at Gros Islet. Jadeja got the wicket of Afghan captain Nawroz Mangal and conceded only 15 runs in his quota of four overs.

8. Harbhajan Singh :

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was also part of India’s first-ever T20I game against Afghanistan. Harbhajan Singh went wicket-less in that game but bowled an economical spell. Harbhajan Singh bowled four overs and conceded just 24 runs. Harbhajan is currently part of the Star Sports broadcast panel and also represents the Aam Aadmi Party in Rajya Sabha.

9. Praveen Kumar :

Former Indian pace bowler Praveen Kumar has stayed away from the limelight since he announced his retirement from international cricket. He played in a few T20 leagues post his retirement. Praveen Kumar was India’s key new-ball bowler against Afghanistan, he took two wickets in his three overs and conceded only 14 runs. Praveen dismissed Asghar Afghan and Mohammad Nabi in his third over.

10. Zaheer Khan :

India’s legendary pace bowler Zaheer Khan played only 17 T20I matches for India. Zaheer accompanied Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar against Afghanistan and picked up a wicket in his three overs. Khan announced his retirement from all forms of the game in 2017. He is currently part of the Sports 18 broadcast panel.

11. Ashish Nehra :

Currently serving as Gujarat Titans’ head coach, Ashish Nehra is widely credited for the success he had with Gujarat Titans in IPL. He is appreciated for his better understanding of T20 cricket. Ashish Nehra shared the new ball with Praveen Kumar and rattled Afghan top-order. Nehra picked up three wickets in his four overs and conceded only 19 runs in the game.

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