BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: India’s unbeaten run in the World Cup T20 continued going into the Super Eight with yet another impressive 47-run win on Thursday against Afghanistan in Bridgetown.
Afghan batsmen fumbled in the run chase, getting bowled out for 134 facing a daunting victory target of 182 set by India.
Suryakumar Yadav (53) led the Indian batting charge with a crafty played innings following the early exit of Virat Kohli (24) and captain Rohit Sharma (8).
Suryakumar struck three sixes and five fours during his 28-ball knock. Together with Hardik Pandya (32), he put on 60 for fifth wicket in a quick time to help India cross a par score of 180.
World Cup T20 leading wicket taker Fazalehaq Farooqi (3-33) and Rashid Khan (3-26) were the pick of bowlers for Afghanistan.
Then it was left to Jasprit Bumrah (3-7) and Arshdeep Singh (3-36) to make inroads into Afghanistan batting line-up. Kuldeep Yadav (2-32) also bowled well for India.
Indian bowlers kept Afghanistan under pressure throughout the innings to curtail their run-scoring. Azmatullah Omarzai (26) was the top scorer for Afghanistan.
“I am clear in my approach as to what to do and what requirements are. I know how to tackle Rashid Khan who is the best spinner around. Keep the team first is my watchword and I pursue that element always,” Suryakumar said after receiving the Man of the Match award.
After Thursday’s match: India have won each of their eight meetings with Afghanistan in men’s T20Is, including a super-over win.
India have won five of their last seven matches in the Men’s T20 World Cup (L1), including winning their first three completed matches of the 2024 edition; the last time the Men in Blue went on a longer winning run in the competition was a stretch of five games between November 2021 and October 2022, a streak that started with a 66-run win against Afghanistan (3 November 2021).
Score: India 181 for 8 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 53, Hardik Pandya 32, Virat Kohli 24, Fazalhaq Farooqi 3-33, Rashid Khan 3-26)
Afghanistan 134 all out in 20 overs (Azmatullah Omarzai 26, Jasprit Bumrah 3-7, Arshdeep Singh 3-36Kuldeep Yadav 2-32).
