A decade of struggle fighting to qualify from the lowest tiers of world cricket to rubbing shoulders with the big boys. Sporadic moments of individual brilliance snatching jaw-dropping wins against fancied opponents in white ball cricket. Churning out showstoppers who have made waves in T20 cricket, most notably the Indian Premier League (IPL). Five years on from their Test debut against India, it is time now for Afghanistan to face their moment of reckoning as they take on the might of India in the 2023 ICC World Cup in New Delhi later today.

For those committed to their cause, it's like another homecoming of sorts. Torn apart by war and violence, cricket across the HinduKush found its biggest ally as India lent a huge helping hand in their developing years. The BCCI threw open the doors of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida to primarily serve as a temporary home ground to the team way back in 2015.

TTO Graphics

Availing of facilities unknown then back home, they flourished, and made sure they would extract every positive out of India’s generous offering. To top it all, Afghanistan would even "host" a 3-match T20 series against Bangladesh in Dehradun. As the players felt at home and made progress, further help, in the form of Indian coaches Manoj Prabhakar and Lalchand Rajput, ensured this was no PR exercise, but a true effort in helping aspiring cricketers from the war-torn neighbor make it to the next level.

Sport has always produced underdog stories, and cricket isn’t any different. Yet, a closer look at this bunch will show unbelievable tales of fighting the odds, to even be where they are today. A country ravaged by incessant conflict and terror. Living in the toughest of terrains where lack of basic amenities like water, food and clothes would serve as inspiration to live in extreme temperatures with the fear of the unknown. A generation ago, most of the Afghan cricketers would cross over to other countries, trying to sharpen their skills by day, and struggling to survive at night in refugee camps.

India's Rohit Sharma in action as he hits four runs. Reuters.

All that may be a distant past for most of them now. But it’s a new battle for survival on the field of their dreams. Oodles of talent that have shone brightest in T20 coliseums around the world. Proud, fierce warriors who can take on the best on their day. But it is 50-over cricket that will be their true test of skill and character now. Opportunities to play bilateral series have been few and far between for Afghanistan, and since the 2019 World Cup, they haven’t even managed to play 30 ODIs! Afghanistan’s grand total of 150-odd games in this format since their first appearance in the 50-over format dwarfs when confronted by Team India, who have more than a handful of superstars who have individually played twice as many.

And the greater challenge, notwithstanding the talent, will be discipline; to hold their own and play to a plan over a longer period of time as compared to T20s where they have naturally excelled. Rashid Khan’s wizardry will be on test at the Kotla today as he comes up against some of the most dominant and destructive batsmen in this format, and it will be interesting to see how the champion T20 bowler takes on the masters of this format. Dashing wicket-keeper – opening batsman Rahamanullah Gurbaz will be on hand to give the initial momentum but he will have to be on top of his game as he fronts up to one of the canniest new ball quicks in Jasprit Bumrah.

For Afghanistan, it is important to show that they belong on this stage. Excelling in the shortest format has brought the sheen, but lack of results in Test cricket as well as ODIs could soon take that away. An India game in India will of course have the boisterous home support, but the visitors know they too will have some loud cheers from many who have followed their cricket, and are empathetic to their cause.

Indian cricket has had its very own share of Afghan flavor; Kabul-born Salim Durrani, the only Afghan-born cricketer to play for India, once had crowds asking for "6-on-demand", a feat he would accomplish many times, to become a darling of the masses. One of the most popular cricketers of his time, it is perhaps in keeping with the late Durrani’s thrilling brand of cricket that Afghan cricketers now evoke a fair bit of anticipation whenever they play in India. What is different though is they are now playing against India, arguably the best in the business. For Afghanistan, today their time of reckoning has started.

Sanjeeb Mukherjea is a sports television personality. An award-winning anchor-journalist, Mukherjea now doubles up as host and commentator for major sports broadcasting networks in India.