AFG VS IND - 43rd Match, Super 8 Group 1, ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2024

India have outclassed Afghanistan. They just didn't have many answers. India's openers looked a little hassled but then the tables turned and how! India remain unbeaten. Afghanistan now have lost two on the bounce but this loss might be detrimental to their chances of qualifying to the semis. India though have given themselves a great chance now to book a berth in the semis. That's it from today. The next game in the Super 8s is between Australia and Bangladesh and that isn't too far away. Only a few hours from now. But our team will bid you bye bye for now. This is our team of Harish, Sagar Chawla, Nikhil Jadhav and Kumar Abhisekh Das signing off.

Rohit Sharma: The last two years, we have come here and played some T20 games. We planned a little well. We adapted well to the conditions that were offered. We knew the class of our bowling line up will defend this. Everyone coming in and doing their job. That is something we keep talking about. Surya and Hardik's partnership was a good one in the end. We know what Bumrah can do for us. It is important for us to use him smartly. He is the one who is ready to take the responsibility as well. Whereever he plays, he is always ready to take the responsibility. I got to assess the conditions. Looking at the opposition we are ready to make any changes. We thought three spinners would be good, we went for that. Going forward if needed, I am open to playing three seamers.

Rashid Khan: That was a surface we thought we could chase 170-180. You just go there and how you play. Against bigger teams, we should be thinking we will have to chase such scores. Body is feeling well. I struggled a little in the IPL. I am hitting the areas consistently now. We have enjoyed everywhere we have played. We forget our own skills sometimes. If the conditions are there, we will look to use it.

Most POTM awards in T20Is
15 Suryakumar Yadav (64 mat)
15 Virat Kohli (120)
14 Virandeep Singh (78)
14 Sikandar Raza (86)
14 Mohd Nabi (126)

Most consecutive wins for India in T20Is
12 bw Nov 2021 & Feb 2022
9 bw Jan 2020 & Dec 2020
8 bw Dec 2023 & June 2024*

All ten batters out caught in an innings in T20 WCs
Afg vs Eng Perth 2022
Afg vs Ind Bridgetown 2024

India had two big questions before the game. Will Kohli and Rohit score a few quick runs at the top? They didn't. Dube's spin bashing prowess to come to the fore? Neither did that happen. So, despite the two things not working for India, they managed to score something which was above par. But Pant's energy infusion again worked like it did in earlier games. SKY's potent game against spin and Pandya's knack of coming good when it matters the most. And then Bumrah hit Afghanistan. Only 7 runs from 4 overs and 3 wickets as bowling figures. What more can we say? He is just enhancing his own reputation. But Kuldeep's spell and Jadeja's as well would have pleased India's management. Those middle overs would be crucial as the campaign reaches the business end and the duo were pretty good.

Suryakumar Yadav, Player of the Match: I think there's a lot of hardwork, there are a lot of processes and routine involved in it. I am clear in my mind what I want to do. I don't mind giving this Player of the Match to a bowler. First time it's going to a batter (from India in this tournament), I don't mind. I think you just need to know your game plan, and just play accordingly. I still remember when Hardik came in to the bat, I told him let's bat with the same intent. Let's keep pressing the pedal and keep pushing, in the end very happy with a score of 180.

14:07 Local Time, 18:07 GMT, 23:37 IST: India have had a great outing. They not only have won but have won handsomely. A big win by 47 runs. In Super 8s you get three games, any dent to the NRR will be massive dent to the chances of qualification. Afghanistan barring the first over of the chase, when Gurbaz scored a four and a sixer, never looked threatening. Bumrah removed Gurbaz. Then picked Zazai and Axar chipped in a with a couple of tight overs to ensure India choked the flow of runs and also managed wickets. Naib and Omarzai tried to build a partnership. But it all fell apart quickly after the fall of Naib. Afghanistan would feel they gave away 20 runs more. Even 160 would have been tough but 180 was a little too beyond for any batting line up on this deck. India managed to get to that total on the back of timely knocks from Pant, SKY and Pandya. Once they had 181 on the board, Indian bowling was relentless. India have opened their account in this stage and have staked a massive claim with a big win for a place in the semis. Still a long way to go though.

Arshdeep Singh to Noor Ahmad, out Caught by Rohit!! And Arshdeep Singh can smile. Rohit has a little smile as well. India win by 47 runs. Their NRR has gotten an early boost as well. This is a big margin. Was a fuller ball, angled across, Noor Ahmad looked to slog and skied it to find the man at cover. The skipper managed to take it easily. He didn't looked too pleased after those two wides. But will take the win with open arms. Noor Ahmad c Rohit b Arshdeep Singh 12(18) [4s-1 6s-1]

Arshdeep Singh to Noor Ahmad, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Arshdeep Singh to Noor Ahmad, wide, length delivery, angled across, too wide outside off and has been wided again. Just too much movement on it

Arshdeep Singh to Noor Ahmad, wide, and delays the final outcome for some more seconds. Bowls it fuller, wider. Noor Ahmad throws his bat at it and misses

Arshdeep Singh to Noor Ahmad, no run, and Arshdeep Singh nails the yorker. Noor Ahmad was charging down the track and missed the line of the dl. Only one ball to go

Arshdeep Singh to Noor Ahmad, SIX, and the little delay before this ball has helped Noor Ahmad. Flat and powerful hit indeed. Was a short bal, sat u[p and Noor Ahmad flat-batted it over mid-wicket

Arshdeep Singh to Noor Ahmad, no run, slower short ball, Noor Ahmad looked to pull and misses. The ball landed on the bounce to the keeper

Arshdeep Singh to Noor Ahmad, no run, was a length delivery from wide of the crease. Noor Ahmad looked to slog it and missed the line of the ball

Arshdeep Singh to Noor Ahmad, no run, goes round the wicket, Noor Ahmad looks to slog and slices it down to deep cover. The ball landed short and they don't take a single

Bumrah to Noor Ahmad, leg byes, 1 run, and that's a maiden! Leg byes called. Pant fumbled a little as it came off the pads and the duo stole a run. 56 needed off the final over

Bumrah to Noor Ahmad, no run, and chance of a maiden in the 19th over for Bumrah. Length delivery, shapes in, Noor Ahmad looks to punch it and misses