The Indian cricket team’s journey in the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup began with a huge victory over Afghanistan on Thursday. Despite being challenged at several points in the match, India emerged victorious almost unscathed. Although Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failed to reach their full potential, Suryakumar Yadav scored half-centuries with decent support from Hardik Pandya. With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah breathed fire while the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav also found success.
For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan took three and took the wickets of Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Shivam Dube. Till the time he was bowling, Indian batsmen found it difficult. However, SKY has reached some limits. They even came face to face when Rashid could be seen saying something to him. “Stop sweeping me, he says,” said Ravi Shastri, former coach of the Indian cricket team, in comments.
After the victory over Afghanistan, India have remaining matches against Bangladesh (June 22) and Australia (June 24) and will have to perform well to secure a place in the semi-finals.
In the 182-run chase, Rahmanullah Gurbaz started well by smoking Arshdeep Singh for a four and a six in the first over. However, in the next over, Jasprit Bumrah had Gurbaz caught by Rishabh Pant behind the wicket for just 11 runs in eight balls. Afghanistan were 13/1 in 1.2 overs.
At mid-innings, Afghanistan were 66/3, with Naib (17*) and Omarzai (25*) unbeaten.
Just as Afghanistan were building a partnership, the Indian spinners pulled things in their favor as Kuldeep removed Naib for 17 off 21 balls, with a four and a six, while Jadeja dismissed Omarzai for 26 off 20 balls, with two fours and a six. Axar made a fine catch to remove Omarzai. Afghanistan fell to 71/5 in 11.1 overs.
Bumrah (3/7) and Arshdeep (3/36) were India’s best bowlers. Kuldeep won two while Axar and Jadeja won one each.
Earlier, a fine half-century from Suryakumar Yadav and his 60-run partnership with Hardik Pandya helped India reach 181/8 in their 20 overs against Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights game in Barbados on Thursday.
India need to defend 182 runs to start the Super 8 with a win.
With PTI inputs
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