New Delhi: As India comfortably won their first Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2024, played against Afghanistan in Barbados, Suryakumar Yadav took centrestage with his fifty run-knock. After the Indian top order failed again, Suryakumar took it up to himself and led India from the front to help post a daunting total on the scoreboard as India registered 181/8 in 20 overs and won the game by 47 runs. Post-match he levelled Virat Kohli for a massive record in the T20 internationals.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – the Indian openers endured another flop show as they were sent back on cheap scores and the Indian middle order had to carry the innings further. Suryakumar was partnered with Hardik Pandya as both made a 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket and were followed by the small scores of the lower-middle order. Afghanistan bowlers worked well as Rashid Khan picked three and Fazalhaq Farooqui bagged three as well.
Suryakumar Yadav hit 53 runs off 28 balls laced with five fours and three sixes and was adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock. He was in contention with Jasprit Bumrah for the award as Bumrah bowled extremely well during the Bangladesh innings returning 4-1-7-3. Nonetheless, it was Suryakumar Yadav who was called up at the presentation ceremony to pick the award and with it equalled Kohli in the category.
Most Player of the Match awards in T20Is
15 – Suryakumar Yadav (64 matches)
15 – Virat Kohli (120 matches)
14 – Virandeep Singh (78 matches)
14 – Sikandar Raza (86 matches)
14 – Mohd. Nabi (126 matches)
The Afghanistan chase followed a similar start as their top-order failed and with the help of the little scores from the middle order. Only Azmatullah Omarzai could breach the 20-run mark as he scored 26 off 20 balls. The Indian bowlers made it extremely difficult for the Afghan batters to take on them as Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh picked three wickets and Kuldeep Yadav bagged two as India halted Afghanistan at 134 all-out in 20 overs.
India next play Bangladesh on June 22 in Antigua while Afghanistan will be up against Australia on June 23 in St. Vincent.
Suryakumar Yadav looked in fine touch while batting against Afghanistan as he smashed a fifty and helped India register an easy victory over Afghanistan by 47 runs in Barbados on Thursday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
