New Delhi: The Indian cricket team maintained their dominance over Afghanistan and extended their unbeaten streak in the T20Is by registering a comfortable 47-run win in a Super 8 clash at the T20 World Cup 2024 on Thursday. Playing at the Kensington Oval, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah oozed class and got India a step closer to the semifinals of the T20 showpiece.
Afghanistan’s winning juggernaut has been at a halt since their final group-stage game, mainly lacking in the batting department. Considering the factor and the day game conditions that bring no dew, India had opted to bat first and disappointed the Indian fans with early wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both stalwarts failed yet again and it all laid in the hands of the middle order which capitalised firmly.
After Rishabh Pant’s quick 20, Suryakumar displayed a batting masterclass and played the trademark Afghan spin extremely well. He smashed five fours and three sixes to score 53 runs off 28 balls and was supported by Hardik Pandya (32 off 24) ahead. Both added 60 runs for the fifth wicket and took India’s scoreboard to 181/8 in 20 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqui and Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan bagged three wickets apiece.
As Afghanistan started the chase, their top order faltered as well and the middle helmed the innings further but couldn’t for a longer period. The Indian bowling attack struck at regular intervals as Bumrah showcased his masterclass yet again with 3/7 in the four-over spell including one maiden. Arshdeep Singh scalped three while Kuldeep Yadav got two to his credit as Afghanistan were restricted to 134 all-out in 20 overs.
Here’s how the cricket fraternity reacted to India’s clinical win over Afghanistan in T20 World Cup 2024 –
The best thing of this game so far was how Surya Kumar Yadav played Rashid khan. Outstanding skill from SKY!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 20, 2024
Bagging another half century of the tournament, you’re a true masterclass in batting! What a stellar 50 brother @surya_14kumar. Keep it up! #INDvsAFG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/J6hBjEr6BS
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) June 20, 2024
Perfect start in the Super 8s! 💪 @surya_14kumar, you were brilliant with the bat, and @Jaspritbumrah93 keeps delivering for us on the big stages!🔥🤩 Keep going, boys! 🇮🇳 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/bOIxcjxFhY
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) June 20, 2024
One player on these pitches that can take his team all the way to winning is @surya_14kumar .. Incredible player of spin .. #T20WorldCup
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 20, 2024
Comfortable win. 181 was always going to be too many. India will be encouraged by the batting form of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Pant is looking good and Rohit got a few overs out of Jadeja and Kuldeep which were needed.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 20, 2024
Suryakumar Yadav was adjudged the Player of the Match for his 53-run knock that helped India register a comfortable win over Afghanistan in the first Super 8 clash of Group 1, held in Barbados on Thursday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
