Aichi-Nagoya, Sept. 27 -- India's Asian Games gold-medal defence begins with a knockout trap on Monday, with Afghanistan's youthful side standing between Shreyas Iyer's team and a place in the semifinals.
There will be no room for a slow start or a second chance. One loose over, one missed opportunity or one rash shot could bring India's campaign to an abrupt end.
India have the names, experience and depth to enter the quarterfinal with confidence, but Afghanistan's greatest weapon could be the absence of expectation. Without established stars such as Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, the Afghans have arrived with a younger squad led by Darwish Rasooli.
Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat provide experience, while Nangeyalia Kharote and other...