In their opening Super Eight encounter at the Kensington Oval here on Thursday, India defeated Afghanistan by a commanding 47 runs, thanks to the efforts of fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, who each claimed three wickets. This victory allowed India to continue their unbeaten streak in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup.

Suryakumar Yadav proved to be the difference on a damp and sluggish pitch as he struck a brilliant fifty-eight off only 28 balls, including five fours and three sixes at a strike-rate of 189. He was also very efficient with his sweep strokes, helping India to a commanding 181/8.

Axar Patel’s 12-run cameo and his 60-run partnership with Hardik Pandya (32) helped India pick up the pace, as 56 runs came in the final five overs.

Bumrah responded by taking 3–7, including bowling 20 dot balls, while Arshdeep, despite being occasionally wayward, took 3-36 to bowl out Afghanistan for 134.

Afghanistan’s pursuit got off to a quick start as Rahmanullah Gurbaz bowled Arshdeep for four and six in the first over. However, a cutter from Bumrah tricked the powerful Gurbaz into hitting over cover, giving the keeper an outside edge.

Virat Kohli was hit hard by Zadran at point, but he failed to make an easy catch off Arshdeep’s bowling. However, Axar struck fast since Zadran was unable to gain any height and went straight for further cover. Returning, Bumrah hit an off-cutter that grabbed hold of the pitch and deflected a leading edge off the bat of Hazratullah Zazai to backward point.

Afghanistan’s needed run rate skyrocketed as a result of India’s three strikes, even though Azmatullah and Gulbadin Naib hit five boundaries between them till the midway point mark.

However, Kuldeep ended the 44-run stand after the drinks break by getting Naib to misjudge a ball high in the air to the keeper. Ravindra Jadeja then got Omarzai to hole out to long-on. After that, the outcome was obvious: India easily won with Bumrah and Arshdeep scoring three wickets apiece, and Kuldeep claimed two wickets in his T20 World Cup debut.

Quick scores:

Afghanistan was defeated by 47 runs in 20 overs, with Afghanistan scoring 134 all out (Azmatullah Omarzai 26; Jasprit Bumrah 3-7, Arshdeep Singh 3-36). India scored 181/8 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 53, Hardik Pandya 32; Rashid Khan 3-26, Fazalhaq Farooqi 3-33).