India Vs Afghanistan was yet another thriller, where Indian really had a run for their money when they faced Afghans. It was a low scoring thriller. Very seldom we can see such kind of pitches in England. It was seeming to be a bowling friendly wicket and if someone who would have peeped in their phones to check the Indian score which was as timid as 224 runs at the loss of eight wickets, might have raised quit few eyebrows.
Skipper Virat Kohli who never fails to disappoint the Indian side scored 67 of 63 deliveries followed by Kedar Jadhav who scored a handy half-century. Afghanistan bowling was disciplined and accurate, bowling in the right areas as they were able to restrict mighty and deep Indian batting side. Pitch had some kind of assistance for the bowlers but even batters had a fair share of support from the pitch.
Afghanistan was never so near to the victory as this match we can say as they were completely into the game up until the 25th over. This was one of those rare occasions where India spin duo failed to impress as pitch offered nothing, no turn no bounce for the spinners. The main factors of our spinners are the spunky bounce and crispy turn that rattles the batsmen. Afghanistan batting looked quite solid in front of Indian bowling in the first half of their innings. But then came India’s go-to man Jasprit Bumrah who produced a magical over and produced two wickets in the same over of his 2nd spell bringing two new batsmen on the crease and making the things difficult for the opposition. Afghans weren’t able to rotate the strike were it was necessary, the run rate was under their control and that they became quite complaisant in that position. There was no lateral movement in the pitch hence only bouncers were in the picture, which was exploited well by Indians.
There was one more twist in the game wherein death M.Nabi made 52 and he took the match to the last over. So rarely we see one day matches turning in nail-biting last over thrillers and this was of them. The 2nd last over of Afghanistan innings and the last of Bumrah’s spell was brilliant as he bowled some brilliant Yorkers giving away just 5 and ensuring 16 runs for Shami to defend in the final over. And to end the proceedings Shami became second Indian bowler after Chetan Sharma to a hat-trick in World Cup. The crowd witnessed an excellent game of Cricket where Afghanistan’s commitment and approach are worth praising. They surely are on the right track towards winning against big teams.
