India crushed Afghanistan by eight wickets in their second World Cup game in Delhi on Wednesday, October 11. They chased down 273 in 35 overs after bowling out the Afghans for 272. It was India’s third win in four ODIs against Afghanistan, with one tie in 2018.
India moved to second on the points table, behind New Zealand, and set up a clash with unbeaten Pakistan in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14. Here are the three stars who shone for India in the easy victory.
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma was the star of India’s win over Afghanistan with a record-breaking century. He scored 131 off 84 balls, the fastest by an Indian in World Cup history. He also reached 1,000 World Cup runs in the same number of innings as David Warner.
Sharma smashed his 31st ODI hundred, moving past Ricky Ponting to third on the all-time list. He also hit his seventh World Cup ton, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s six. He became the leading six-hitter in international cricket, with 556 maximums.
Sharma’s knock was a masterclass of batting, as he led India to a comfortable chase of 273 in 35 overs. He entertained the Delhi crowd with his strokes and broke several records along the way.
2. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah was brilliant with the ball in India’s win over Afghanistan. He took four wickets on a batting-friendly pitch at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He broke the opening stand and then came back to remove the big hitters in the end.
Bumrah dismissed Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi in the 45th over, stopping Afghanistan from reaching 300. He also got rid of Rashid Khan in his final over. He ended with 4/39 in ten overs, showing his skill and accuracy.
3. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli played a supporting role to Rohit Sharma in India’s win over Afghanistan. He scored 55 off 56 balls, his second World Cup fifty in a row. He came in at 156/1 in the 19th over and ensured no more wickets fell.
Kohli was the local hero, as he received loud cheers from the Delhi crowd. He batted sensibly and helped Sharma complete his century. He also finished the chase with a boundary.
While the contest was mostly favorable for Team India, there were a handful of players whose performance throughout the game was a little concerning.
1. Flop 1 – Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj’s poor form in the World Cup is a concern for India. He was expensive and wicketless against Afghanistan, conceding 76 runs in nine overs. It was his second-worst ODI figures.
Siraj has been India’s best ODI pacer this year, but he has struggled in the World Cup. He might lose his place to Mohammed Shami, who is waiting in the wings.
2. Flop 2 – Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur did not impress in India’s win over Afghanistan. He took only one wicket and bowled just six overs, giving away 31 runs. He replaced Ravichandran Ashwin in the XI, but did not justify his selection. He lacked penetration and control in the middle and death overs.
Thakur’s place in the team is under question, as many fans and experts want Ashwin or Shami to play instead of him.
