The stage was set for a thrilling encounter as India and Afghanistan locked horns in the much-anticipated India vs Afghanistan match of the T20 World Cup 2024, held at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.
India’s Batting Masterclass
Opting to bat first, India aimed to set a strong foundation for their total. Rohit Sharma, the skipper, started cautiously but fell victim to Fazalhaq Farooqi in the 3rd over, after scoring 8 runs. Virat Kohli, at the other end, looked fluent, finding boundaries with ease. He stitched together a 42-run partnership with Rishabh Pant for the second wicket, providing some much-needed momentum to the innings. However, just as Kohli seemed to be getting into a groove, he was trapped by Rashid Khan for 22 runs.
The dismissal of both openers brought Suryakumar Yadav to the crease. The right-hander, known for his unorthodox strokeplay, played a crucial role in anchoring the Indian innings. He mixed caution with aggression, finding gaps in the field and punishing loose deliveries. He built a crucial partnership with Hardik Pandya (32 runs off 20 balls) for the fourth wicket, adding 60 runs to propel India past the 150-run mark. Yadav reached his fifty in just 28 balls, an innings that displayed his ability to thrive under pressure. In the slog overs, cameo appearances from Axar Patel (14* runs off 7 balls) provided the finishing flourish, taking India to a competitive total of 181/8 on the board.
Afghanistan’s Bumpy Chase
Chasing a challenging target, Afghanistan’s batting faltered early. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh wreaked havoc with the new ball, picking up three quick wickets within the powerplay. The middle order, led by Azmatullah Omarzai (26) and Najibullah Zadran (19), offered some resistance. However, the asking rate continued to climb, and wickets fell at regular intervals as the Indian bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths.
This victory in the India vs Afghanistan match further cemented India’s position as one of the favorites to win the T20 World Cup. Their batting depth, bowling prowess, and fielding excellence have propelled them to the top of the table. With key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma expected to return to form soon, India looks poised for a strong finish in the tournament.
