Afghanistan off-spinner AM Ghazanfar is preparing to test himself against Rohit Sharma in the upcoming ODI series, drawing on lessons picked up at Mumbai Indians. The 19-year-old expects those IPL sessions against Rohit and other senior India players to shape plans for a key role in Afghanistan's attack.
Ghazanfar explained that regular nets with Rohit during the last IPL season gave useful insight into dealing with elite batters. The youngster often bowled with a new ball in training, mirroring likely ODI scenarios. Those spells helped Ghazanfar study Rohit's tempo, shot selection and preferred scoring areas very closely.
Rohit Sharma Afghanistan ODI series
Speaking to a small group of reporters before the ODI series, Ghazanfar underlined the respect within the Afghanistan camp
for India's captain. "Rohit bhai is a legend and a very good player. He opens the batting and we bowl with the new ball. Whatever we have learnt from him, Inshallah, we will try to use it to our advantage and see what happens," Ghazanfar said.
The spinner also recalled how Rohit helped with batting during their stint together at Mumbai Indians. "Once when I was batting, he gave me some tips. I really appreciated that and I am thankful to him," he said. Ghazanfar felt such moments showed the value of exposure to senior international cricketers.
Rohit Sharma Afghanistan ODI series
Ghazanfar's IPL dressing room included Rohit, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, giving a rare window into India's core white-ball group. He believed this mix, alongside tactical input from coaches, sped up his growth. It also highlighted the intensity needed to succeed across both international cricket and franchise leagues.
Reflecting on the tournament, Ghazanfar highlighted the quality of personnel on and off the field. "In the IPL, you get the absolute best of both worlds -- very good players and excellent coaching. Playing matches with them and sharing the dressing room helped me learn a lot. Cricket is a game of constant learning and I want to keep learning even more in the future," he said.
Preparation for Rohit Sharma Afghanistan ODI series
Afghanistan's build-up to the ODI series extended beyond IPL involvement, with Ghazanfar stressing the work done at home. The squad held a month-long camp in Kabul before travelling, focused on skills, fitness and match scenarios. That programme aimed to keep players aligned, even as some featured in overseas franchise tournaments.
Ghazanfar felt that schedule helped the team handle Indian conditions better. "The IPL was very good for us. It is very hot here and we have adjusted to the conditions. Before coming here, our team had a month-long camp in Kabul. We have already adapted to the pitches and weather and the players are feeling energetic," he said.
Rohit Sharma Afghanistan ODI series and rising competition
The spinner's own rise reflects Afghanistan's fast-growing talent pool. Ghazanfar said domestic pathways now feed many more players into higher levels, although the jump remains demanding. He pointed out that moving from local cricket directly into international matches and global leagues still needs strong belief and disciplined work on core skills.
Assessing that pathway, Ghazanfar added: "There are a lot more talented players in Afghanistan now. It is difficult to reach international cricket, leagues and franchise cricket directly from domestic cricket, but belief, preparation and working on your skills can make things easier," he said, noting pressure for places has increased.
Unlike several younger Afghan cricketers who highlight specific stars like Rashid Khan or Mohammad Nabi as their heroes, Ghazanfar drew motivation from the collective. "Our role model was the Afghanistan team. We all used to watch our national team when we were growing up," he said. That outlook now guides Ghazanfar as Afghanistan prepare to confront India's strong batting group, with Rohit at the top.
