In the opening game of Group 1 of the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2024, India defeated Afghanistan by a commanding 47-run score on Thursday, June 20, at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
After winning the toss, India elected to bat first, but their bad start was exacerbated by the loss of their skipper in the third over. To get India over the 50-run barrier, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant delivered opposing blows. But as India collapsed to 62/3 in the ninth over, both of them lost their lives in their 20s.
Soon after, Shivam Dube passed away, and India was in trouble at 90/4. Suryakumar Yadav prevented Afghanistan from controlling the game at any point, even though Rashid Khan was enjoying a fantastic period in which he claimed three quick wickets. He and Hardik Pandya pieced together an important 60 runs off 37 balls, setting the stage for India to dominate the last few overs.
After scoring 53 off 28 balls, Suryakumar left the field in the 17th over. Since India needed someone who could close out the innings with a bang, Hardik was also removed in the next over. After hitting a few boundaries in the final overs, Axar Patel helped the Men in Blue reach 181/8 in their 20 overs.
With three wickets apiece, Rashid and Fazalhaq Farooqi were Afghanistan’s most effective bowlers.
Jasprit Bumrah’s fury decimates Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan’s potent opening combination, have to score frequently. The wicketkeeper-battler began the innings with a boundary off Arshdeep Singh, but he was removed in Jasprit Bumrah’s second over. Afghanistan scored just 35 runs in the powerplay after losing Zadran and Hazratullah Zazai. Bumrah took two wickets for just five runs in his two overs of powerplay bowling.
While Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai attempted to steady the ship, their 44-run partnership was achieved off 38 balls, causing the needed run-rate to soar to unsettling heights. The Indian bowlers bowled tight lines, making it as tough as possible to score runs, and the Blue Tigers continued to lose wickets through the middle overs.
Also read: Kris Srikkanth advised India before their Super 8 match against Afghanistan to “don’t let them bat first.”
After only scoring 134 runs overall, Afghanistan was eventually bowled out on the final ball of the innings. In the T20 World Cup 2024, Bumrah continued his incredible run with mind-boggling statistics of 3/7 in four overs. While Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets in his first-ever tournament match, Arshdeep Singh also claimed three wickets. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja each took one wicket each.
Here’s what the captains and POTM of the Afghanistan vs. India match had to say in the interim:
Rohit Sharma, Winning Captain
The last two years we’ve played T20s here, so we understand the conditions and planned accordingly. We adapted well and got 180, which was a great effort from the batters. We had class bowlers who defended it perfectly. Everyone came in and did their job, that’s critical and we dwell on it. SKY and Hardik’s partnership was critical at that point, we needed someone to bat deep which they did. We know Bumrah’s class and what he can do. Important for us to use him smartly regardless of conditions.
He’s willing to responsibility and he’s been doing it for years. (Three-spinners combination) Have to assess conditions, opposition and based on that we’re open to make changes if required. Felt three spinners were good here, if it’s seamer-friendly next time, we’ll go with seamers.
Rashid Khan, Losing Captain
We knew we’d be chasing 160-170 given it was against a bigger team. We could’ve done it had we executed smarter. My bowling has been coming out well, I struggled early in the IPL but am hitting the right areas consistently. but it’s the match result that matters most. We’ve enjoyed our cricket everywhere but our mindset is what matters. If the conditions are helpful, we’ll use it depending on if it’s a batting or bowling track.
Suryakumar Yadav, POTM
Lot of hard work and practice has gone behind this. Lot of routine and process. I’m very clear about what to do when I go out. I don’t mind giving this POTM award to a bowler as well. First for a batter, hope first of many. When Rashid bowls it’s tough to get him away. (Adjustments from US to WI) You need to know what the game plan is. Keep the team first when you go out there.
I remember when Hardik came in, I told him not to leave too much at the end, when the ball gets old/reverses. Just wanted to push the pedal, see where we get to at 16 overs, and take it from there.
India
