(AP Photo)
India began their Super 8 campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup with a commanding 47-run victory over Afghanistan at Barbados’ Kensington Oval on Thursday. Suryakumar Yadav starred in the first innings with a brilliant half-century, while Jasprit Bumrah took charge in the second half, clinching a three-wicket haul.
Afghanistan, chasing 182 for victory, faltered and were bowled out for 134 in 19.6 overs. Bumrah (3/7) and Arshdeep Singh (3/36) played pivotal roles, both claiming three wickets each.
Suryakumar Yadav’s batting was a spectacle on a challenging pitch where others struggled. He crafted a rapid 50 off 27 balls, showcasing exquisite strokes, supported by Hardik Pandya (32 off 24), who also looked in fine form.
India posted a competitive total of 181/8. Afghanistan made a promising start with 13 runs in the first over, but Bumrah’s skillful bowling, including a crucial dismissal of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (11) with a deceptive slower delivery, turned the tide in India’s favor early on.
After the early setback, Afghanistan struggled to stay in contention as India maintained pressure with consistent breakthroughs. Azmatullah Omarzai (26) and Gulbadin Naib (17) briefly resisted with a 44-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but they couldn’t keep pace with the mounting required run rate.
Captain Rohit Sharma utilized all six of his bowling options effectively, with every bowler except Hardik Pandya (0/13) chipping in with at least one wicket.
Kuldeep Yadav replaced Mohammed Siraj in the lineup, bolstering India’s spin arsenal, and the left-arm spinner delivered with figures of 2/32 from his four overs.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s skipper Rashid Khan (3/26) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/33) combined to unsettle India’s top-order after Rohit Sharma chose to bat first.
Farooqi dismissed Rohit Sharma for 8 runs early on, but India recovered swiftly thanks to contributions from Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli.
Pant made a brisk start with 20 runs off 11 balls but couldn’t capitalize after being dropped, falling victim to Rashid Khan’s first wicket in T20Is against India.
Kohli, scoring 24 off 24 deliveries, displayed his class with a splendid straight six but was dismissed after struggling to find momentum, extending his lean run to four matches.
Rashid Khan continued his impact, taking wickets in his first three overs, which included dismissing Pant, Kohli, and Shivam Dube. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya then took control of the innings. Pandya was particularly aggressive, smashing a massive six off Noor Ahmad before getting out in the 18th over.
In the end, India posted a total that proved more than sufficient for victory.
