So, India finish strong with 102 runs coming off the last 10 overs. The opening pair of Rohit and Kohli struggled to get going in the powerplay on a slow pitch, but the the likes of Pant, Surya and Hardik came to the party to help raise the tempo. Surya, in particular, was superb with his sweep shots which put the pressure back on the bowlers and didn’t allow them to hit the length consistently. He did all this while Rashid Khan was in the middle of a good spell, eventually finishing with 3/26 with the wickets of Kohli, Pant and Dube. Farooqui took a three-fer as well, extending his lead at the top of the wicket-taking charts. But Afghanistan have a lot of work to do now with the bat. They’re up against a challenging target on this pitch, and India have gone in with three spinners today.
Suryakumar Yadav: That’s what I have practised, I enjoy batting from (7-15 overs) that’s the most difficult phase where the opposition bowlers look to control things. I like to take charge in that phase, I enjoy it. I started chewing my gum harder when he (Kohli) got out. I just backed my game and my instincts. I have played a lot of cricket with him (Rohit Sharma) and now under him, he understands my game. He knows my game, so he sits back and enjoys it. It’s a good total, let’s see what happens now.
India have had a great outing. They not only have won but have won handsomely. A big win by 47 runs. In Super 8s you get three games, any dent to the NRR will be massive dent to the chances of qualification. Afghanistan barring the first over of the chase, when Gurbaz scored a four and a sixer, never looked threatening. Bumrah removed Gurbaz. Then picked Zazai and Axar chipped in a with a couple of tight overs to ensure India choked the flow of runs and also managed wickets. Naib and Omarzai tried to build a partnership. But it all fell apart quickly after the fall of Naib. Afghanistan would feel they gave away 20 runs more. Even 160 would have been tough but 180 was a little too beyond for any batting line up on this deck. India managed to get to that total on the back of timely knocks from Pant, SKY and Pandya. Once they had 181 on the board, Indian bowling was relentless. India have opened their account in this stage and have staked a massive claim with a big win for a place in the semis. Still a long way to go though.
Suryakumar Yadav, Player of the Match: I think there’s a lot of hardwork, there are a lot of processes and routine involved in it. I am clear in my mind what I want to do. I don’t mind giving this Player of the Match to a bowler. First time it’s going to a batter (from India in this tournament), I don’t mind. I think you just need to know your game plan, and just play accordingly. I still remember when Hardik came in to the bat, I told him let’s bat with the same intent. Let’s keep pressing the pedal and keep pushing, in the end very happy with a score of 180.
India had two big questions before the game. Will Kohli and Rohit score a few quick runs at the top? They didn’t. Dube’s spin bashing prowess to come to the fore? Neither did that happen. So, despite the two things not working for India, they managed to score something which was above par. But Pant’s energy infusion again worked like it did in earlier games. SKY’s potent game against spin and Pandya’s knack of coming good when it matters the most. And then Bumrah hit Afghanistan. Only 7 runs from 4 overs and 3 wickets as bowling figures. What more can we say? He is just enhancing his own reputation. But Kuldeep’s spell and Jadeja’s as well would have pleased India’s management. Those middle overs would be crucial as the campaign reaches the business end and the duo were pretty good.
Most POTM awards in T20Is 15 Suryakumar Yadav (64 mat) 15 Virat Kohli (120) 14 Virandeep Singh (78) 14 Sikandar Raza (86) 14 Mohd Nabi (126)
Most consecutive wins for India in T20Is 12 bw Nov 2021 & Feb 2022 9 bw Jan 2020 & Dec 2020 8 bw Dec 2023 & June 2024*
All ten batters out caught in an innings in T20 WCs Afg vs Eng Perth 2022 Afg vs Ind Bridgetown 2024
Rashid Khan: That was a surface we thought we could chase 170-180. You just go there and how you play. Against bigger teams, we should be thinking we will have to chase such scores. Body is feeling well. I struggled a little in the IPL. I am hitting the areas consistently now. We have enjoyed everywhere we have played. We forget our own skills sometimes. If the conditions are there, we will look to use it.
Rohit Sharma: The last two years, we have come here and played some T20 games. We planned a little well. We adapted well to the conditions that were offered. We knew the class of our bowling line up will defend this. Everyone coming in and doing their job. That is something we keep talking about. Surya and Hardik’s partnership were a good one in the end. We know what Bumrah can do for us. It is important for us to use him smartly. He is the one who is ready to take the responsibility as well. Wherever he plays, he is always ready to take the responsibility. I got to assess the conditions. Looking at the opposition we are ready to make any changes. We thought three spinners would be good, we went for that. Going forward if needed, I am open to playing three seamers.
India have outclassed Afghanistan. They just didn’t have many answers. India’s openers looked a little hassled but then the tables turned and how! India remains unbeaten. Afghanistan now have lost two on the bounce but this loss might be detrimental to their chances of qualifying to the semis. India though have given themselves a great chance now to book a berth in the semis.